Chinese- invested copper mine in Serbia still running

Serbia’s Jama mine, part of the Chinese- invested RTB Bor copper complex and the country’s only copper quarry, is still in operation, contrary to media reports suggesting the mine had ceased to operate, according to multiple sources.

In response to news reports that Serbia halted the mine over environmental breaches, a source at the firm involved in the project told the Global Times Thursday that the mine is still running smoothly, and only new mining facilities under construction were ordered to suspend work.

Another source familiar with the matter told Global Times on Thursday that work on the shaft was paused due to noise pollution and the construction will resume after rectification, which is scheduled to be done by the end of April.

The Serbian Mining and Energy Ministry suspended the Chinese firm’s construction of a shaft in a local copper mine after it failed to meet environmental standards, according to media reports.

Serbian Energy Minister Zorana Mihajlovic reportedly said that the government had suspended the construction of several mining facilities of Zijin Mining because they might pollute the River Pek.

Following the reports, some Western media outlets jumped on the story and suggested that the mine’s operation was halted.

However, the operation at the mine continues and Serbia is still seeking more Chinese firms to invest in the country’s mining sector.

Serbia has huge potential in copper production, Mihajlovic said recently, while meeting with Shen Shaoyeng, vice president of Zijin Mining, via video link.

Zijin Mining, one of the largest gold miners in China, became a strategic partner in the RTB Bor copper quarry in 2018, pledging to invest $ 1.26 billion over the subsequent six years for a 63- percent stake.

Shares of the Shanghai- listed miner closed 2.82 percent higher on Thursday.