British interested in Serbian lithium

Lithium is crucial to each future economy, because it is crucial to the composition of each e-battery, said the U.K. ambassador to Serbia, Edward Ferguson, in an interview for Nova ekonomija.

– Serbia has it, and in great quantities too and of great quality and that is truly an extraordinary opportunity for Serbia. I know that there are concerns regarding the environmental risk. Each mining entails that risk, but that risk can be managed too – Ferguson says and adds that Great Britain is in the process of opening its first lithium mine, in Cornwall, which is also one of the most beautiful and picturesque parts of southwest England.

– This mine will certainly operate in line with the highest environmental standards. In England, the lithium mining project is assisted by the state, it is financed by HM Treasury and implemented by Cornish Lithium PLC. Rio Tinto is a company that is registered in Britain, with the headquarters in London, and we are, of course, interested in what happens with their project in Serbia. There have been many allegations, not all of which are based on facts. It is important to separate fact from fiction when it comes to such important and difficult decisions: what the opportunities are, and what the risks are when it comes to certain projects – says Ferguson.

Regarding the fact that the EU is negotiating with Serbian politicians about lithium and the question whether the U.K. government is having similar negotiations, he says that “an important decision lies before the new Serbian government and we are obviously very interested in reaching an agreement.”

– If the Serbian government decides to continue with this project, we will do everything we can on our part to ensure the success of this project, which will help Serbian economy grow and secure Serbia’s position in the very heart of the process of the European green transition. At the same time, this project can bring the highest environmental standards and help the populace of Loznica and the Jadar valley economically – says Ferguson.

Ambasada Velike Britanije Beograd

UK Embassy

Edward Ferguson

Cornwall

lithium

lithium mining