Deal #9429

The plan states that the project will cover 293.9 square kilometres (29 390 ha) on the territory of Loznica and Krupanj. The zone of mining activities will cover 854.8 hectares; the zone of production and industrial activities will cover an area of 646.5 hectares; and other land, which will be used for the disposal of industrial waste, construction of access roads and supporting infrastructure will cover a zone of 358.5 hectares. However, company source claims that "The mining operation will be constructed in an area of less than 400 hectares. This footprint incorporates both the underground mine and the surface industrial complex" "So far, according to the latest data from the Real Estate Cadastre in Loznica, the company has taken possession of 140 hectares."

lithium mine

Buying the land at least in Jadar river valley, because ownership is necessary in order to obtain a permit for exploitation of mine

Rio Tinto has been researching in Serbia since 2004 having received exploration permits, however, it was only in 2017 that Vučić's Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Rio Tinto. As of 2021, Rio Tinto has started activities on the purchase of real estate (houses and land).

The Memorandum of Understanding confirmed the production of lithium would start in the year 2022 and last for four years, that the exploitation will start in 2026, and that the full capacity of lithium-carbonate production will be reached three years later. In 2022 of January, the government, under pressure from massive protests over environmental concerns, revoked the spatial plan for the project. However, both activists doubt the operation suspension as the company continues to take pressure on locals to sell our land and the president of Serbia announced that the project would not be halted. As of 5 May, 2022, "Rio Tinto for talks to revive Jadar project"