Minister of Mining and Energy Aleksandar Antic announced that, if all goes well, at the end of 2024 and early 2025, the start of exploitation of the Jadarit ore within the project “Jadar”, which is being implemented by Rio Tinto in the vicinity of Loznica, can be expected.
A significant phase of development of this project is underway by Rio Tinto in Serbia, says Minister Antic, stating that geological surveys have been completed and that Rio Tinto will have a full range of activities in the next 18 months to carry out a feasibility study, reserves and finally to apply for a permit to build a mine.
– If all goes well, at the end of 2024, early in 2025, we can expect the start of exploitation, and the investment in the opening of the mine is 1.5 billion dollars – Antic said during a visit to Rio Tinto.
The minister stressed that this was one of the most significant projects for our country, which, he said, would change Serbia without a dilemma.
He expects the mining company to make an investment decision in the coming period, Srbija Danas reports.
– I deeply believe that this investment decision will be positive considering that Rio Tinto has invested more than 200 million euros in research so far – Antic said, stating that he, together with the Prime Minister of Serbia, was able to see the seriousness of the process happened on the realization of the project.
– For the past 16 years, a whole team of foreign and local experts have worked hard and dedicated here, and today we are very close to being able to talk about opening a mine, Antic said.
