Rio Tinto announced the discovery of a maiden ore reserve at Jadar Lithium – Boron Project, located in Serbia. The maiden ore reserve includes 16,6 million tonnes with a grade of 1.18% lithium oxide and 13.4% boron trioxide.
According to the company, the mineral resource comprises 55.2 Mt of Indicated Resource at 1.68% lithium oxide and 17.9% boron trioxide with an additional 84.1 Mt of Inferred Resource at 1.84% lithium oxide and 12.6% boron trioxide.
Showing the potential to produce battery grade lithium carbonate, Jadar Project located very close to the one of the fastest growing electric vehicle markets, Eurpean Union. The scale and high grade nature of the Jadar mineralisation provides the potential for a long-life operation in the first quartile of the industry cost curve for both products.
Being one of the largest greenfield lithium projects, Jadar expected to produce 55 000 ton/year of battery grade lithium carbonate, as well as 160 000 ton/year of boric acid and 255 000 ton/year of sodium sulphate as by-products.
Started in July, the feasibity study in thee project is expected to complete end of 2021. As for production is expected to start end of 2023 or begining of 2024.
