Minister for Energy, Mining, and Mineral Resources, Sanja Bozhinovska, visited the SASA mine, the largest underground lead and zinc mine in North Macedonia, which produces approximately 800,000 tons of ore annually. During the meeting with SASA's management team, Minister Bozhinovska was briefed on the mine's operations, its investments in sustainable development, and its contribution to the prosperity of the local community.
"SASA is a crucial part of our country's economic structure. Support for these projects is vital for sustainable development and improving the living conditions of the local community. As a minister, my goal is to support sustainable and safe mining practices and highlight the importance of innovation in mining. By supporting modern technologies, we aim to create a mining industry that is both safe and sustainable," emphasized Bozhinovska.
SASA directly employs about 770 people, most of whom are local residents. In the past six years, the mine has paid over $85 million in taxes, which have been used to support national development and improve the quality of life for local people.
Christopher Colburn, the General Director of SASA, highlighted that over $80 million has been invested in capital projects, modern mining equipment, digitalization, safety improvements, and better working conditions at the mine as part of Central Asia Metals, an international mining company.
"This visit from Minister Bozhinovska, who oversees such an important sector, is especially significant for us at SASA. She is part of our overall communication and cooperation with institutions at both central and local levels, which is necessary for SASA's continued success. Our goal is to implement our investment plans and projects for safe, environmentally responsible, and stable operations at SASA, ensuring the well-being of our employees and their families, supporting the local community, and contributing to the overall prosperity of the country," stated Colburn.
During the visit, the minister also toured the underground mine corridors, where she discussed experiences and challenges with the miners. The workers emphasized that safety on site is a priority and that they are constantly working to improve working conditions.
"Miners are the heart of this mine. Their safety and job satisfaction are crucial for SASA's successful operation," said the minister.
Bozhinovska also visited the new facilities that are part of investment projects focused on environmental protection and health. These include the paste preparation plant designed to maximize resource extraction while reducing the need to leave ore on-site. The construction of a tailings preparation plant for dry disposal will reduce the ecological footprint, eliminating the need to build another tailings pond during the mine’s remaining life cycle.
The visit to SASA is part of Minister Bozhinovska's ongoing activities for direct communication and regular visits to all facilities under the ministry's jurisdiction.
