Rio has already developed a new processing technology to extract minerals(Lithium/ Borates) from jadarite ore. A small-scale test plant has been built to test the new technology.
Jadar chairman Luke Martino told * the location of the company’s project potentially makes it a prime target for Rio Tinto.
With the above in mind:, here are some interesting facts on the Jadar Basin and the enormous amounts of jadarite ( lithium and borates.)
Due to its high lithium and boron concentrations Jadar has been ranked as one of the largest lithium deposits in the world. If developed, it has the potential to supply a significant percentage of global demand for lithium.
The lightest metal on Earth, lithium is used in a vast array of products, most notably batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles. The deposit also contains borates, which are essential building blocks for heat resistant glass, fibreglass, ceramics, fertilisers, detergents, wood preservatives and many other household and commercial products. They are used in insulation that makes buildings energy-efficient, and to produce TV, computer and smartphone screens.
Jadar(ASX:JDR) has a lithium project in Serbia right next door to one of the world’s largest miners — Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO).
In September last year, Jadar struck a deal to acquire five lithium-prospective exploration licences in Serbia, two of which are located near Rio Tinto’s Jadar lithium project. The projects are considered prospective for lithium and other pegmatite hosted minerals, including jadarite — which contains both lithium and borates.
Serbia’s Jadar basin is the only place in the world where the mineral can be found, according to Rio Tinto.
The announcement in July 2017 of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Government of Serbia is the latest chapter in the progress of the Jadar Project.
“[The MOU] lays the foundation to progress the project through future stages and brings Serbia and Rio Tinto closer to becoming a leading source of global lithium and borate production,” said Simon Trott, managing director of Rio Tinto’s Salt, Uranium and Borates division.
Rio Tinto had been funding exploration for borates and evaporites when experts found a paper from the University of Belgrade that led them to explore Serbia's Jadar river basin. Exploratory drilling with a local team in this area 140km west of Belgrade discovered the new mineral jadarite, which contains both lithium and borates. Richard Storrie, general manager of Rio Tinto Serbia, explains why the find was so significant: "It was exciting for our geologists because this mineral is unique, found nowhere else in the world. It's also unusual to find a new mineral in such quantities: it's estimated that there are over 100 million tonnes in the Jadar deposit."
The projects are considered prospective for lithium and other pegmatite hosted minerals, including jadarite — which contains both lithium and borates.
Serbia’s Jadar basin is the only place in the world where the mineral can be found, according to Rio Tinto.
This is significant for RioTinto and Jadar Lithium(JDR). The fact that the Jadar Basin contains jadarite(lithium and borates), really opens the markets up for both companies. I believe the Jadar Basin is about to become a very significant Lithium producing region, with JDR primed to become a major Lithium producer. But as we now know,ilt my money on JDR being swallowed up by RioTinto at a significant premium to todays $3,4Mil mc for JDR. The decent cash position and low number of shares on issue make JDR very attractive, and at the current level, it's an absolute steal in my opinion.
drifta
JDR Price at posting:
1.0¢ Sentiment: Buy Disclosure: Held