Rio Tinto lithium mine production due to start in 2027

Anglo-Australian mining group Rio Tinto said that production at its Jadar lithium-borate mine in Serbia will probably start in 2027, a year later than planned, because the authorities have still not issued an exploitation licence to the company.

"Based on current estimates and subject to receiving all relevant approvals, permits and licences, first saleable production is expected to be no earlier than 2027," Rio Tinto said in a statement.

According to Rio Tinto's website, the project is valued at EUR 2.1 billion. It initially estimated that full-scale production of battery-grade lithium carbonate can be reached in 2029.