Rio Tinto calls for public dialogue based on facts to address ongoing misinformation campaign

Rio Tinto is calling for industry commentators and Jadar Project opponents to have a fact-based public dialogue to avoid continuing to mislead the public. Spreading misinformation and baseless claims prevents having an informed public conversation based on facts.

Fake claims made by activists and the actual facts are as follows. These facts are publicly available on the Rio Tinto Serbia website:

Fake claim: The Jadar Project will cover tens of thousands of hectares.
Fact: The development of the Jadar Project requires a total of 390 hectares; 220 ha in the core project footprint and 170 ha for the landfill location in the Štavice valley.

Fake claim: Geological research was carried out without the landowner's permission and caused damage to the environment.
Fact: All work was undertaken in compliance with the Law on Mining and Geological Surveys. Access rights to the exploration sites were established for each activity in consent with property owners. All hydrogeological holes are inspected regularly, and in the event of any damage, all defects are immediately repaired.

Fake claim: Tailing spills would devastate the environment.
Fact: Tailings spills are not possible as no liquid tailings ponds are planned. The mining and residue waste from the proposed Jadar Project are dry, and in solid form.

Fake claim: The use of sulfuric acid would emit sulfur fumes and damage the soil.
Fact: For the Jadar Project, sulfuric acid will be used at a temperature of 90 degrees, preventing evaporation of sulfur dioxide. It would not be possible for sulfuric acid to damage the soil as the entire process would takes place in an enclosed systems. Sulfuric acid is widely used and strictly regulated by the Government of Serbia and adheres to best international practices.

Fake claim: Serbia and its citizens would not benefit economically from the project.
Fact: The Project Jadar would be the largest greenfield investment in the modern history of Serbia, estimated at EUR2.5 billion in 2021. A study by consultancy Ergo estimated that during operations, the project would be one of Serbia’s largest taxpayers, contributing EUR180m annually. Jadar will create 1,300 permanent jobs, and construction will create up to 3,500 temporary contract employment opportunities. Once multiplier effects are accounted for a further 3,265 jobs throughout Serbia will be created. The Jadar Project would generate around €700 million annually of direct value add, and increase GDP by an amount equivalent to more than 3% of current GDP once indirect and induced effects are considered.

Fake claim: Rio Tinto approved the decision to halt the Project and bribed government officials.
Fact: Rio Tinto does not have any influence on the regulations of the Republic of Serbia. The Government of the Republic of Serbia adopted the decree on the cancelation of on the Spatial Plan of Special Purpose Area (SPSPA) for the Jadar Project. This claim is unfounded speculation and a direct attempt to harm Rio Tinto’s reputation. Rio Tinto policies explicitly prohibits bribery and corruption.

For those making the fake claims, we challenge them to present evidence or publicly withdraw their baseless allegations.

To protect the company from further damages, Rio Tinto will use all available legal options to protect its reputation and rights under applicable law in response to false claims and accusations against the company.