Chad Blewett, executive director of Rio Tinto’s Jadar project, told N1 that the company has no guarantees or assurances from the Serbian government that the project will be feasible. He said Rio Tinto cannot proceed until a new government is formed. Blewett added that it is up to citizens and the government to decide whether the project is good for the Loznica region and Serbia.
Blewett said Rio Tinto believes it can meet environmental protection standards and deliver benefits in a safe manner. He also stated that the company intends to engage with all interested parties. He described the current stage as lacking an agreement and “nothing new” until government formation.
Dialogue efforts and participation claims
Blewett said Rio Tinto held its 110th dialogue session on the same night referenced in his comments. He said it was the only session in which the company could not hold that dialogue. He added that Rio Tinto invited opponents of the project, including MP Aleksandar Jovanović Ćuta, to enter the venue.
According to Blewett, many dialogue participants were unable to enter the building for a presentation in Valjevo. He said Rio Tinto has had conversations with a total of 3,000 people across Serbia, mostly in the Loznica area, over seven or eight months. He also said questions and concerns could be raised during these discussions and that information has been published on the company’s website.
Blewett said opponents use disinformation and characterized what he described as a media show during the event. After describing this, he reiterated that Rio Tinto is open to a fact-based dialogue and to answering questions. He linked the ability to hold dialogue to whether questions can be addressed.
Valjevo presentation disrupted outside hotel
Rio Tinto scheduled a presentation in Valjevo on the day referenced in N1’s reporting, inviting representatives of local communities. N1 reported that citizens and environmental activists gathered outside a hotel in Valjevo and demanded entry. The reporting said a commotion followed when people entered.
N1 reported that activists and citizens told company representatives they did not want the Jadar project. One activist said they did not want Rio Tinto there but had nowhere else to go, while others shouted “out” and “get out of Serbia.” A banner reading “The power is yours, but the land is ours” was also shown in footage.
N1’s reporter added that it was unclear why media coverage was not allowed for the entire presentation if, as Rio Tinto claims, it is intended to benefit Serbia. Before the event, Aleksandar Jovanović Ćuta and other environmental activists told N1’s reporter they continued to monitor developments related to Rio Tinto. They said they believe the project has not been terminated as claimed by former Prime Minister Ana Brnabić, but rather paused.
Rio Tinto statement after event
After what N1 described as an unsuccessful event, Rio Tinto issued a statement claiming opponents of the Jadar project do not want a dialogue. The statement came after disruption at the Valjevo hotel presentation involving citizens and environmental activists. The comments from Blewett earlier also emphasized engagement with interested parties while awaiting formation of a new government.