News Brief: English
Summary
Rio Tinto has paused its planned $3.7 billion lithium mine in Serbia’s Jadar Valley due to permitting delays and strong community opposition. The project will enter a “care and maintenance” phase, meaning the company will retain its land rights for a potential future restart.
Key Points
- Project Status: The $3.6-3.7 billion Jadar Valley lithium project is paused, moving to “care and maintenance.”
- Reasons for Pause: Difficulties in obtaining permits from the Serbian government and significant local opposition over environmental and agricultural concerns.
- Rio Tinto’s Stance: The company continues to view Jadar as a “tier one” lithium deposit crucial for Europe’s energy transition and will protect its rights to the land.
- Opposition Response: Activist groups like Marš sa Drine see this as a “temporary retreat” and vow to continue fighting until Rio Tinto completely leaves Serbia.
- Political Context: The project has faced a volatile political landscape in Serbia, with previous government halts and reinstatements, amid wider public protests against corruption.
- Lithium’s Importance: The deposit was large enough to potentially supply batteries for 1 million electric vehicles annually for about 40 years, highlighting its global significance.
新闻简报：中文
总结
由于许可审批延迟和强烈的社区反对，力拓（Rio Tinto）已暂停其在塞尔维亚贾达尔河谷（Jadar Valley）计划的37亿美元锂矿项目。该项目将进入”维护和保养”阶段，这意味着该公司将保留其土地权利，以备未来可能重启。
关键点
- 项目状态：价值36-37亿美元的贾达尔河谷锂矿项目已暂停，转入”维护和保养”阶段。
- 暂停原因：难以获得塞尔维亚政府的许可，以及当地居民对环境和农业影响的强烈反对。
- 力拓立场：公司仍视贾达尔为欧洲能源转型关键的”一级”锂矿藏，并将保护其对该土地的权利。
- 反对派回应：活动团体如”Marš sa Drine”（意为”离开德里纳河”）将此视为”暂时撤退”，并誓言继续抗争，直到力拓完全离开塞尔维亚。
- 政治背景：该项目在塞尔维亚面临不稳定的政治环境，曾遭政府叫停后又恢复，同时该国正发生更广泛的针对腐败的公众抗议。
- 锂的重要性：该矿藏储量巨大，足以在约40年内每年为100万辆电动汽车提供电池，凸显了其全球重要性。
Original Article Link: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11-18/rio-tinto-jadar-valley-mine-paused-amid-huge-opposition/106020944