Rio Tinto: We Respect Serbian Gov’t Decision to Cancel Jadar Project

Rio Tinto (BETAPHOTO/Green patrol/DS)

Rio Tinto respects the Serbian government's decision to revoke a decree on the realization of the Jadar project, and will continue "responsibly to maintain" the land and structures owned by the company, reads a written response by Rio Tinto to the Voice of America.

The representatives of environmental organizations and activists who seek a permanent legal ban on lithium and boron exploration and extraction in Serbia claim that Rio Tinto is still active in the Jadar area in spite of the government's decision to halt the construction of a lithium mine. On Jan. 20, the Serbian government said in a press release that it was "closing the door" on the Jadar project and repealing all administrative acts related to Rio Tinto.

Asked to comment on reports by environmental organizations that the company was still buying up land, working on the construction of a natural gas pipeline and hiring on more people in local offices, Rio Tinto said it would continue "responsibly to maintain the land and structures owned by the company and manage them in the best interest of the community and natural environment."

The company did not address the question of whether it was true that it was still buying land and houses. The question of whether the company had considered any legal steps against Serbia and which over the government's decision to halt the lithium mine construction also remained unanswered.