Rio Sava Exploration GM: We Have Decided to Pause Jadar Project

Rio Sava Exploration General Manager Vesna Prodanovic (Photo: Beta/MILOS MISKOV)

Rio Sava Exploration General Manager Vesna Prodanovic has said that the company plans to pause the Jadar project and call for a public dialogue, so that the inhabitants may be acquainted with all the aspects of the project.

In an interview with BETA, Prodanovic said that the Jadar project was planned in a defined legal framework but that no step that could additionally concern the locals would be taken.

"We see the city of Loznica's decision to abolish the Spatial Plan as a sign that certain aspects of the project need to be additionally presented with the competent institutions. We believe that open dialogue is in the interest of all interested parties, the community and the company, and we view the coming period as an opportunity to clarify all controversial issues," said the head of Rio Sava Exploration, Rio Tinto's daughter company.

When asked how she interpreted a recent statement by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic that Serbia would "talk differently" with Rio Tinto, Prodanovic said that the Jadar project had in all its phases developed in line with the legal regulations of the Republic of Serbia and according to the high standards of the European Union.

"One of the priorities is open communication on all aspects of the project and we will continue that in the coming period. We respect the comments that we need to communicate even more. We are open to all constructive proposals and appeal that the debate on the project return to the framework of facts and science," stressed Prodanovic.