The realization of the Jadar project potentially carries the risk of natural sources of radioactive radiation, about which there is no information, the Academy of Engineering Sciences of Serbia (AINS) pointed out, among other things, in its position on the realization of the spatial plan for the exploitation and processing of Jadar minerals.
The Academy of Engineering Sciences of Serbia expresses great concern over the permanent negative consequences that will be caused by the realization of the Jadar project on the environment in Western Serbia, it is stated in the position adopted by the AINS presidency on November 4.
“The strategic decision of the Government of Serbia to support the implementation of the project (2017) was not preceded by appropriate, independent expert analyzes at the national level. At the same time, the state envisages investing significant funds in the infrastructure and transport sector to support the project. The realization of the Jadar project will, in the mentioned location, in accordance with the needs and projects of investors, cause wider social consequences and prevent the potential development of green agriculture and production of healthy food in the region,” states AINS.
The Jadar project is not a so-called production project of green lithium, indicates AINS.
“The prospect of lithium carbonate placement is not guaranteed, but it is facing great challenges due to new alternative technological solutions. Therefore, the project is primarily a mining and chemical complex of borate production, which has a stable perspective based on dispersed demand, a large number of products and the experience of Rio Tinto. The realization of the Jadar project potentially carries the risk of natural sources of radioactive radiation, about which there is no information. This sensitive and high-risk issue is completely neglected in the process of analysis and approval of the spatial plan of the special purpose of the Jadar project,” warns the Academy of Engineering Sciences of Serbia.
AINS states that, having in mind the commitment and previous activities of state authorities to implement the Jadar project, it is questionable whether the further decision-making process will take place in a scientifically based and transparent manner, with public participation in accordance with the Aarhus Convention.
“The state undertakes to help the implementation of the Jadar project with infrastructure investments, without knowing whether it has prepared a feasibility study that would, on the one hand, define state infrastructure support projects, their investments and costs, including the value of land conversion, and on the other hand various forms of government profits in the future, with the definition of potential losses. Decision-making without detailed appropriate techno-economic studies carries the risk of possible drastically harmful consequences for the state of Serbia,” AINS warned, among other things, N1 reports.
