The Jadar River Valley in Serbia is the only confirmed deposit in the world rich with the valuable mineral jadarite, containing a large percentage of lithium, for which there is an ever-increasing demand. According to geological experts of the "Rio Sava", a daughter company of the world's leading mining company "Rio Tinto", which conducts research, the deposit could meet 20% of the global and 80% of European demand for lithium.
This precious mineral was discovered by a group of local and American geologists in 2004. So far, the company "Rio Tinto" has invested more than $ 20 million in research activities in the Jadar valley, and last year, it approved additional 27 million dollars for a prefeasibility study, whose positive results will enable a shift to a feasibility study. This could be followed by the opening of the mine and the commencement of production. The whole process could take five or six years.
According to estimates, jadarite, named after the river Jadar in Loznica municipality, can also be found in the area of Valjevo, and the surrounds of municipalities Mionica, Ub, and Belanovica. It is a monoclinic non-radioactive mineral, which resembles crumbled chalk. Jadarite's chemical formula is very close to the formula invented for the fictional substance kryptonite in the film Superman Returns. The new mineral, unlike the fictional material in the movie, does not contain fluorine. It is white rather than green, and fluorescent when illuminated by ultraviolet light. This mineral contains lithium and boron, which are the main and cost-effective components. Earlier studies have confirmed the existence of approximately 125.3 million tons of jadarite with average content of 1.85% lithium oxide and 16.2 million tons of boric acid.
Lithium is the most important element in the production of batteries for electric and hybrid cars, mobile phones, laptops, and other electronic devices. Experts estimate that the demand for lithium will double by 2017. The second element - boron - is used in the manufacture of glass, ceramics, alloys, mineral fertilizers, insulating materials, detergents, and wood protection materials. There are more than a hundred possible applications, and can be used in the manufacture of fireworks and rocket fuel. There are over 100 different ways to utilize lithium, including the manufacture of fireworks and rocket fuels. Lithium is mainly located in the South America, or the so-called ABC triangle comprising Argentina, Bolivia and Chile. Some 60 mining companies are looking for it willing to invest more than a billion dollars in mines.
Through its two Serbian daughter companies "Rio Sava Exploration" and "Rio Tinto Ibar boron minerals ", “Rio Tinto Exploration" explores boron and other industrial minerals in several locations in Serbia, especially in the Jadar basin near Loznica and in Jarandolski basin near Raska. The project "Jadar" is a significant alternative to existing suppliers from South America who, drawing lithium from the so-called salt lakes, provide about 73% of the world supply, while about 79% of the global demand for lithium comes from Europe and Asia. The Jadar Valley is the only known deposit of lithium, located outside the American continent and in the vicinity of European and Asian markets. It has the potential to be able to secure an alternative source to meet a growing regional demand. Located only two hours away from Belgrade, with a relatively easy access to European E70 highway and solid rail network, and with the possibility of marine transport on the Sava and the Danube, it can be said that the project "Jadar" is one of the most approachable logistic source of lithium in the world today.