Rio Tinto’s Serbia lithium project likely to take two years to approve

Environmental impact: A file picture showing people protesting against Rio Tinto’s lithium mining project in Serbia last week. The mining group needs to secure approvals which will hinge on its environmental impact study following the nationwide rallies. — Reuters

BELGRADE: It could take Rio Tinto two years to obtain the permits it needs to start construction on its Jadar lithium project in Serbia, says the country’s energy minister as environmentalists plan fresh protests over the mine.

Last month, Serbia reinstated Rio’s licence to develop what would be Europe’s biggest lithium mine in the western Jadar region, two years after the previous government halted the licensing process due to angry protests by environmental groups.