Representatives of Euro Lithium Balkan, the Serbian subsidiary of the Canadian company Euro Lithium, confirmed for Nova ekonomija that they are investigating the presence of lithium in the soil around Valjevo.
They explain that it is not yet known whether the opening of the mine would be economically viable, because they found a low concentration of lithium in the excavated minerals.
The company Euro Lithium Balkan states that they were authorized to explore lithium in the vicinity of Valjevo by the Ministry of Mining and Energy.
The research and analysis are at an early stage, but so far it has been determined that there is lithium in the area, said the company’s executive director Petr Palkovski, who adds that his company does not investigate the mineralization of jadarite.
It has not yet been determined whether these lithium resources are economically viable for exploitation, so it is possible that exploitation will not occur, Palkovski assessed.
The founder of Euro Lithium also says that the company he represents will not be engaged in lithium mining, unless it is proven that ore mining is “economically, environmentally and socially acceptable”.
He added that the company plans to do a study on the environment in the area around Valjevo, which, according to him, is the first step for understanding the existing ecological situation.
In the area between Valjevo and Lajkovac, where research is being conducted, the river Kolubara flows, a regional road is nearby, and a new section of the highway is planned, which will connect Valjevo and the highway Milos Veliki, according to Nova ekonomija.
Citizens, but also some members of the local self-government in Valjevo, have already publicly asked the authorities from the city administration to answer them regarding the lithium research that is being conducted in the vicinity of Valjevo, Nova Ekonomija reports.
