The Ministry of Environmental Protection of Serbia has outlined the scope and requirements for the environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the mining component of the Jadar project, a lithium and boron mining venture led by Rio Tinto. The company is now tasked with addressing cumulative environmental impacts and proposing mitigation measures. However, environmental groups, including Marš sa Drine, argue that the decision is unlawful, claiming it bypasses public participation rules, overlooks critical environmental safeguards, and disproportionately benefits corporate interests.
On September 17, Rio Tinto’s Serbian subsidiary, Rio Sava Exploration, submitted a request for determining the EIA scope for its underground mining operations in the Jadar region, located in Serbia’s western part. The mining activity will take place across several municipalities, including Gornje Nedeljice, Brnjac, Veliko Selo, Jarebice, Slatina, Stupnica and Šurice, within a designated special purpose area for exploiting and processing jadarite—a rare lithium and boron ore found in the Jadar deposit.
The Regulatory Institute for Renewable Energy and Environmental Protection (RERI), a nongovernmental organization, criticized the approach, accusing Rio Tinto of “salami slicing” the project into smaller parts to avoid a comprehensive EIA for the entire operation. The broader Jadar project includes a jadarite processing plant and the disposal of mining tailings and low-grade ore. RERI claims this tactic conceals the cumulative environmental impacts and undermines the project’s compliance with the European Union’s environmental standards.
In November, after reviewing public comments and proposals, the Ministry of Environmental Protection established the scope for the mining project’s environmental impact study. The ministry requires Rio Tinto to detail the cumulative environmental impacts and propose mitigation strategies and monitoring systems. The company must also outline the use of best available technologies and ensure the study adheres to EU environmental practices. Rio Tinto has one year to submit the EIA study to the ministry.
However, environmentalist group Marš sa Drine, part of the Association of Environmental Organizations of Serbia (SEOS), has argued that the Ministry’s decision is unlawful and biased in favor of Rio Tinto. The group claims several legal violations, including the failure to assess cumulative impacts, inadequate public participation, incomplete project documentation, and violations of both Serbian laws and international environmental conventions. They have called for citizens to take legal action against the decision.
