World’s largest reserves of lithium are in Serbia: We could supply the whole planet
BELGRADE -- When will the exploitation of lithium start in Serbia?
Source: serbia-energy.eu
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Foto: Depositphotos, yeti88, 80114844
Serbia’s estimated deposits are the largest in Europe and the insatiable appetite for batteries that power everything from iPhones to Tesla cars is prompting the likes of Rio Tinto Group to study the viability of mining it.
News portal Deutsche Wirtschaftsnachrichten writes about the lithium wealth in Serbia, carried by portal serbia-energy.eu.
„Bloomberg says that Serbia’s estimated deposits of lithium are the largest in Europe. The reservoir is situated in the western Serbia, in the region of Macva. The mineral, dubbed “jadarite” after the Jadar Valley, has a similar chemical structure to the compound that can be used to erode the superhero’s powers. Allegedly, there are the reserves of 118 million tons of this ore, that contains 1,8 percent of lithium-oxide, as written in the US paper of geological research USGS.
Rio Tinto, one of the world’s largest mining companies, had announced four years ago its plans to start exploiting lithium within its project of jadarite extraction.
The decision regarding this project will be made at the end of 2020. Up till then, the feasibility study of the project should be finalized. According to the allegations of Rio Tinto Group CEO, Jean-Sébastien Jacques, the resources near Loznica in western Serbia offer the potential to cover the needs of the whole planet for electrification.
Rio Tinto is testing just how much lithium there is in Serbia, while the large deposits were detected in 2004. Large quantities of boron are found on the same location. Rio Tinto identified tons of reserves which makes it one of the richest sources of lithium in the world.
Since the launch of this project, Rio Tinto closely cooperates with the Serbian Government and local officials in order to provide responsible work on the project, local municipalities will largely benefit from. President Aleksandar Vucic called it "one of the biggest hopes for Serbia" and urged companies to speed up work to start production, as Bloomberg carries out.
Lithium – 21st century gold
Foto: Depositphotos, dlpn, 110558224
Rio Tinto considers boron and lithium "a significant value for Serbia" and said lithium and boron "play important roles in a more energy-efficient future".
"NN money" describes lithium as the "gold of 21st century". Specially U.S. big companies such as Tesla, Google and Apple plan to strengthen investments in the sector of electronic cars in the next couple of years, which would contribute to increasing demand of lithium. The countries with the current major lithium exploitation are Australia, Chile, Argentina, China, Zimbabwe, Portugal and Brazil, according to Investing News, with China and Europe being the biggest lithium consumers.
"On its web portal, CIA explains the strategic significance of this ore. CIA points out that it deals with the field of technological development, and that CIA was the first to invent and use lithium battery back in the sixties", according to portal Deutsche Wirtschaftsnachrichten. Namely, the Rio Tinto Group on its internet site carries that lithium has similar chemical structure of kryptonite – the fictional rock that gives superpowers to Superman.
Optimistic government estimates and preliminary exploration suggest there may be as much as 200 million tons of deposits in Serbia, while the U.S. Geological Survey said there were one million tons of identified reserves in the country, making it one of the richest sources of lithium in Europe.
Rio Tinto- Australian - has been working on this for years. This type of project takes massive investment and the mining industry doesn’t have a ton of money these days. So to get the funding internally at Rio, a great case needs to be made. Hopefully they’ll get there soon so our grandchildren benefit. As for making batteries here in Serbia, that would be great but would require either a big foreign investor to bet big on an investment in Serbia, where there is little skill or experience in lithium battery production or the government getting involved in a big domestic project. Do you really want the latter? It would be great to see that level of trust but it may be misplaced.
(Josip, 29 September 2019 10:00)
One thing for sure rep Serbia won't export lithium to our province of kosovo *due to taxes, certainly no interest in curing kosovaaaa of manic diseases. Let them have it.
(British, 10 September 2019 20:15)
Whatever deal they strike, it should include revocation of recognition of Kosovo and recognition of Republika Srpska as a separate country.
If they want it, they have to earn it.
(Peggy, 9 September 2019 06:59)
If the reports of estimates are true Serbia could do very well, not just in terms of money but in the political arena.
If the deposits do indeed amount to trillions of dollars then Serbia can invite the US to take a share.
A bit like the Saudi Arabians with their oil.
You see people, the Saudis have one of the worst human rights records out there. There is no democracy, no elections, very few womens rights, etc. In fact they execute people regularly (in public squares).
But all that is just fine with us in the west and in the USA. That's because they allow us to share the oil wealth, and they spend hundreds of billions buying our arms and weapons.
So much for America upholding and promoting truth, justice, human rights, international law, etc.
If there are huge deposits in Serbia, and its worth in the many trillions........and if Serbia plays its cards right.....hmmmmm..
(View from the uk, 8 September 2019 20:05)
We Serbs have never been greedy. On the other hand the U.K and U.S act like the big kid at school who comes and steals your lunch money. Except this is on a global scale of theft, bribery and manipulation. U.S is worlds best propaganda machine by way of false media and false democracy. Wake up rest of world!!!
(Smart Serb, 8 September 2019 02:09)
Thank God for a powerful Russia and China, otherwise the Americans would be wanting to dish out democracy to Serbia.
(View from the uk, 7 September 2019 18:51)
Thank You Michael Thomas, VERY GOOD comment, VERY SMART idea, I hope and pray Serbian Civil leaders view this , B92 PLEASE spread this idea around, The wealth of Srbija needs to be contained and spread among all the Serbian population NOT sold off to vultures by the greedy few who are in power who only filling their own pockets - God Bless Srbija!!!
(Dragoljub Djurkovic, 7 September 2019 18:29)
Smart Serb and Michal Thomas,
Don’t be in such a hurry for Serbia to get rich and powerful. Lithium can also be used to treat manic-depressives I.e. bipolar disorder, Lord knows many Serbs suffer from this dreadful disease.
(Dumb Guy, 7 September 2019 18:23)
All of a sudden U.S companies and contractors are circling like vultures.
If Serbia doesnt play with them, they will invade again to take control.
Problem is Vucic has certainky already made a deal with them.
Sell contract to China or Russia.
(Smart Serb, 7 September 2019 01:44)
I am not sure why Rio Tinto is taking so long to mine lithium in Serbia. Perhaps this is just a technical issue and they are working as fast as possible. But perhaps they have been told to delay this project so that Serbia stays poor and easier to manipulate. The Serbian government has given Rio Tinto a concession to mine. If they don't start then that concession can be ended and given to others. I am sure the Chinese would be keen. Future lithium mining concessions should be linked with the production of batteries. Lithium should not be exported from Serbia, just the finished batteries. This would earn Serbia money, jobs, and influence around the world. Those who threaten Serbia can be deprived of Serbian batteries!
(Michael Thomas, 6 September 2019 12:33)
I am not sure why Rio Tinto is taking so long to mine lithium in Serbia. Perhaps this is just a technical issue and they are working as fast as possible. But perhaps they have been told to delay this project so that Serbia stays poor and easier to manipulate. The Serbian government has given Rio Tinto a concession to mine. If they don't start then that concession can be ended and given to others. I am sure the Chinese would be keen. Future lithium mining concessions should be linked with the production of batteries. Lithium should not be exported from Serbia, just the finished batteries. This would earn Serbia money, jobs, and influence around the world. Those who threaten Serbia can be deprived of Serbian batteries!
(Michael Thomas, 6 September 2019 12:33)
Thank God for a powerful Russia and China, otherwise the Americans would be wanting to dish out democracy to Serbia.
(View from the uk, 7 September 2019 18:51)
All of a sudden U.S companies and contractors are circling like vultures.
If Serbia doesnt play with them, they will invade again to take control.
Problem is Vucic has certainky already made a deal with them.
Sell contract to China or Russia.
(Smart Serb, 7 September 2019 01:44)
Thank You Michael Thomas, VERY GOOD comment, VERY SMART idea, I hope and pray Serbian Civil leaders view this , B92 PLEASE spread this idea around, The wealth of Srbija needs to be contained and spread among all the Serbian population NOT sold off to vultures by the greedy few who are in power who only filling their own pockets - God Bless Srbija!!!
(Dragoljub Djurkovic, 7 September 2019 18:29)
If the reports of estimates are true Serbia could do very well, not just in terms of money but in the political arena.
If the deposits do indeed amount to trillions of dollars then Serbia can invite the US to take a share.
A bit like the Saudi Arabians with their oil.
You see people, the Saudis have one of the worst human rights records out there. There is no democracy, no elections, very few womens rights, etc. In fact they execute people regularly (in public squares).
But all that is just fine with us in the west and in the USA. That's because they allow us to share the oil wealth, and they spend hundreds of billions buying our arms and weapons.
So much for America upholding and promoting truth, justice, human rights, international law, etc.
If there are huge deposits in Serbia, and its worth in the many trillions........and if Serbia plays its cards right.....hmmmmm..
(View from the uk, 8 September 2019 20:05)
Whatever deal they strike, it should include revocation of recognition of Kosovo and recognition of Republika Srpska as a separate country.
If they want it, they have to earn it.
(Peggy, 9 September 2019 06:59)
We Serbs have never been greedy. On the other hand the U.K and U.S act like the big kid at school who comes and steals your lunch money. Except this is on a global scale of theft, bribery and manipulation. U.S is worlds best propaganda machine by way of false media and false democracy. Wake up rest of world!!!
(Smart Serb, 8 September 2019 02:09)
One thing for sure rep Serbia won't export lithium to our province of kosovo *due to taxes, certainly no interest in curing kosovaaaa of manic diseases. Let them have it.
(British, 10 September 2019 20:15)
Smart Serb and Michal Thomas,
Don’t be in such a hurry for Serbia to get rich and powerful. Lithium can also be used to treat manic-depressives I.e. bipolar disorder, Lord knows many Serbs suffer from this dreadful disease.
(Dumb Guy, 7 September 2019 18:23)
Rio Tinto- Australian - has been working on this for years. This type of project takes massive investment and the mining industry doesn’t have a ton of money these days. So to get the funding internally at Rio, a great case needs to be made. Hopefully they’ll get there soon so our grandchildren benefit. As for making batteries here in Serbia, that would be great but would require either a big foreign investor to bet big on an investment in Serbia, where there is little skill or experience in lithium battery production or the government getting involved in a big domestic project. Do you really want the latter? It would be great to see that level of trust but it may be misplaced.
(Josip, 29 September 2019 10:00)
Smart Serb and Michal Thomas,
Don’t be in such a hurry for Serbia to get rich and powerful. Lithium can also be used to treat manic-depressives I.e. bipolar disorder, Lord knows many Serbs suffer from this dreadful disease.
(Dumb Guy, 7 September 2019 18:23)
Thank God for a powerful Russia and China, otherwise the Americans would be wanting to dish out democracy to Serbia.
(View from the uk, 7 September 2019 18:51)
All of a sudden U.S companies and contractors are circling like vultures.
If Serbia doesnt play with them, they will invade again to take control.
Problem is Vucic has certainky already made a deal with them.
Sell contract to China or Russia.
(Smart Serb, 7 September 2019 01:44)
One thing for sure rep Serbia won't export lithium to our province of kosovo *due to taxes, certainly no interest in curing kosovaaaa of manic diseases. Let them have it.
(British, 10 September 2019 20:15)
Whatever deal they strike, it should include revocation of recognition of Kosovo and recognition of Republika Srpska as a separate country.
If they want it, they have to earn it.
(Peggy, 9 September 2019 06:59)
I am not sure why Rio Tinto is taking so long to mine lithium in Serbia. Perhaps this is just a technical issue and they are working as fast as possible. But perhaps they have been told to delay this project so that Serbia stays poor and easier to manipulate. The Serbian government has given Rio Tinto a concession to mine. If they don't start then that concession can be ended and given to others. I am sure the Chinese would be keen. Future lithium mining concessions should be linked with the production of batteries. Lithium should not be exported from Serbia, just the finished batteries. This would earn Serbia money, jobs, and influence around the world. Those who threaten Serbia can be deprived of Serbian batteries!
(Michael Thomas, 6 September 2019 12:33)
Thank You Michael Thomas, VERY GOOD comment, VERY SMART idea, I hope and pray Serbian Civil leaders view this , B92 PLEASE spread this idea around, The wealth of Srbija needs to be contained and spread among all the Serbian population NOT sold off to vultures by the greedy few who are in power who only filling their own pockets - God Bless Srbija!!!
(Dragoljub Djurkovic, 7 September 2019 18:29)
If the reports of estimates are true Serbia could do very well, not just in terms of money but in the political arena.
If the deposits do indeed amount to trillions of dollars then Serbia can invite the US to take a share.
A bit like the Saudi Arabians with their oil.
You see people, the Saudis have one of the worst human rights records out there. There is no democracy, no elections, very few womens rights, etc. In fact they execute people regularly (in public squares).
But all that is just fine with us in the west and in the USA. That's because they allow us to share the oil wealth, and they spend hundreds of billions buying our arms and weapons.
So much for America upholding and promoting truth, justice, human rights, international law, etc.
If there are huge deposits in Serbia, and its worth in the many trillions........and if Serbia plays its cards right.....hmmmmm..
(View from the uk, 8 September 2019 20:05)
We Serbs have never been greedy. On the other hand the U.K and U.S act like the big kid at school who comes and steals your lunch money. Except this is on a global scale of theft, bribery and manipulation. U.S is worlds best propaganda machine by way of false media and false democracy. Wake up rest of world!!!
(Smart Serb, 8 September 2019 02:09)
Rio Tinto- Australian - has been working on this for years. This type of project takes massive investment and the mining industry doesn’t have a ton of money these days. So to get the funding internally at Rio, a great case needs to be made. Hopefully they’ll get there soon so our grandchildren benefit. As for making batteries here in Serbia, that would be great but would require either a big foreign investor to bet big on an investment in Serbia, where there is little skill or experience in lithium battery production or the government getting involved in a big domestic project. Do you really want the latter? It would be great to see that level of trust but it may be misplaced.
(Josip, 29 September 2019 10:00)