The value of proven mineral resources on the territory of Serbia is 250 billion euros, said the Minister of Mining and Energy, Zorana Mihajlović, stating that there is no contract on the exploitation of lithium.
“That is what we have underground, and whether and how it will help our economic development depends on us and on respecting all environmental standards,” Mihajlović said in the Serbian Parliament in the part of the session at which members of the government answer parliamentary questions.
Mihajlović pointed out that Serbia is a country rich in critical minerals that are needed to implement the green agenda.
“It’s not just lithium, it’s copper, gold, antimony, there is all that in Serbia, and not in small quantities,” said the Minister of Mining.
She reminded that the Čukaru Peki mine was recently opened, which, as she said, will contribute to Serbia being the second in Europe in the production of copper and gold, by exploiting the lower zone of the mine.
“We are also moving to explore the upper zone of the mine, and we believe that we will be the first in Europe. We should not be ashamed of what we have and think that mining is something that is not good. It is good when it is implemented according to all environmental and energy standards and principles,” Mihajlović emphasized.
She said that there was no signed contract with Rio Tinto, nor was a permit for the exploitation of lithium issued.
“This government is doing everything clearly and transparently, and the public is and will be informed about all the details regarding the ‘Jadar’ project,” said Mihajlović.
Mihajlović pointed out that the state will not make any decision, if the environmental impact assessments show that it will not be in line with European standards, Tanjug reported.
“Every day we see pictures from various parts of the world in certain media about what Jadar will look like, we hear how the Drina will be destroyed, how polluted water will reach Belgrade, how it will not be possible to live in Serbia. All these apocalyptic stories are told by super-environmentalists and super-experts. All this is a lie, because no one knows at this moment what the impact on the environment will be, because the studies are not finished. When they are ready, then we can and should talk about everything. The message to the citizens is to believe in their government and state, because we will not do anything that will affect our lives and the lives of future generations,” said Mihajlović, Sputnik News reports.
