From May 28 to May 30, 2025, Rio Sava Exploration d.o.o., in collaboration with the accredited laboratory of the Jaroslav Černi Institute for Water Management, will conduct soil and shallow groundwater sampling on 33 plots of land owned by the company. The purpose of this activity is to establish baseline environmental conditions and assess the quality of the soil and shallow groundwater. Sampling will take place exclusively on company-owned properties and will be conducted during regular working hours.

These activities will be carried out in full compliance with the laws of the Republic of Serbia and international standards, including ISO 5667 and SMEWW for water sampling, and ISO 10381/ISO 18400 for soil sampling. All work will follow the principles of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP), with strict adherence to environmental protection and occupational health and safety protocols.

As part of our commitment to full transparency and open communication with the local community, the company has informed the presidents of the local communities of Gornje Nedeljice, Brezjak, and Slatina, as well as the association “Ne damo Jadar,” about the planned field activities, both by phone and in writing. In the letter, we confirmed that, in response to a request from the “Ne damo Jadar” association, one representative from the association and one from the local community will be allowed to observe the sampling process.

We also expressed our readiness to conduct future joint sampling of soil and water in cooperation with “Ne damo Jadar,” using an accredited laboratory of their choice. However, the association declined this offer and instead requested that representatives of the Jaroslav Černi Institute hand over a copy of each on-site sample to a representative of “Ne damo Jadar.” The company agreed to this request, with the explicit note that the validity of these samples can only be guaranteed if their transport, storage, and analysis are conducted in accordance with relevant standards by an accredited laboratory.

In light of these circumstances, Rio Sava Exploration d.o.o. and the Jaroslav Černi Institute disclaim all responsibility for the handling of samples after they are transferred to “Ne damo Jadar,” should the association fail to ensure that proper standards for transport, storage, or preservation are met. Furthermore, Rio Sava Exploration d.o.o. and the Jaroslav Černi Institute assume no responsibility for the accuracy, reliability, or legal validity of any results derived from the analysis of such samples, nor for any potential consequences arising from their misinterpretation or misuse.

The sampling process may be documented through recording of procedures and methodology, ensuring that individuals’ faces are not recorded.

For full transparency, the letters sent to the local communities and the “Ne damo Jadar” association are available on our website at the following link.