Freeport McMoRan copper-gold project in Serbia attracted the attention of PDAC mining association of Canada which awarded Freeport Rakita Serbia Cukaru Peka project for the important discovery .
Industry leaders in seven categories were honored for their outstanding contributions to the mineral exploration and mining sector at the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada‘s (PDAC) 2016 convention.
The annual awards showcase the best domestic and international mineral discovery, mine development, Aboriginal achievement, exceptional environment or social responsibility effort, distinguished service, and special achievement.
The Cukaru Peki discovery team from Reservoir Minerals and Freeport-McMoRan are the recipients of this year’s Thayer Lindsley Award for the discovery of high grade copper-gold deposits in Serbia that may prompt explorers to look for a new class of mineral deposit.
Recipients will be celebrated at the Awards Evening at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto on March 7, 2016, during the 84th PDAC Convention. The PDAC’s board of directors select recipients based on recommendations of the association’s Awards Committeee.
Freeport McMoRan owned Cukaru Peka joint venture company Rakita Exploration partner is canadian junior mining company Reservoir Minerals. Reservoir has a history of presence in Serbia thru mining and natural resources projects specifically in hydro power plants business. Reservoir HPPs projects had severe issues and challenges with local communities and public, in Serbia but also in neighboring countries. Such a bad PR for Reservoir may be polished now with Freeport name but it will not be forgotten by a large number of NGO activists in Serbia and neighboring countries.
Environment activists are hoping that Freeport will pave the path for new approach in cooperation with local communities and public in Serbia.