BELGRADE, Jan 17 (Reuters) – Serbia wants to hold further talks with Anglo-Australian miner Rio Tinto (RIO.L), opens new tab, (RIO.AX), opens new tab about its lithium project in the country, President Aleksandar Vucic said on Wednesday, adding that there should also be more public discussion over whether it should go ahead.
Belgrade revoked licences for Rio’s $2.4 billion Jadar lithium project in Western Serbia in January 2022 after massive environmental protests. If completed, the project could supply 90% of Europe’s current lithium needs and help to make the company a leading lithium producer.
Regarded as a critical material by the European Union and the United States, lithium is largely used in batteries for electric vehicles (EV) and mobile devices.
Speaking on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Vucic said he had “a difficult conversation” with representatives of Rio Tinto earlier on Wednesday.
“We are facing the question of whether the company will file a lawsuit against us or not,” Vucic told Serbian reporters. “I asked them not to take measures to protect their interests.”
For the whole article go to Reuters.
