At the invitation of the Macedonian Mining Association (MAR), a delegation from the Ministry of energy, mining and mineral resources realized an expert visit to the Republic of Bulgaria, with the aim of exchanging experiences and observing the best European practices in sustainable mining and environmental protection. The delegation also included experts - geologists and engineers - who followed the applied standards and technological solutions from a professional perspective.
The program included several activities and meetings, including visit to the "Ada Tepe" mine in Krumovgrad - the most modern mining complex in the region, located in a protected area of ​​the NATURA 2000 ecological network, 3 kilometers south of Krumovgrad.
The delegation had the opportunity to get acquainted on site with the application of the most advanced technologies for water and waste management, as well as with the reclamation measures that have minimal impact on the environment.
“This mine is recognized in Europe as one of the most environmentally friendly mining complexes in the region and uses the most sophisticated equipment and technologies for water and waste management, minimizing the environmental impact, even in protected Natura 2000 areas. We want to learn from experiences that have already been proven – how the company responsibly cooperates with the local community, invests in business development and infrastructure and creates benefits for people and the economy. North Macedonia is determined to foresee all European rules in future strategies and policies in order to ensure that any development in the sector will be sustainable, environmentally responsible and in the interest of local communities and citizens”, Filip Petrovski, State advisor for mining at the Ministry of energy, mining and mineral resources said.
The Macedonian delegation was received by the mayor of Krumovgrad, Sebihan Mehmed. The benefits of the mine's operation for the local community were presented at the meeting: new jobs creation, a fund to support small businesses not directly related to mining, infrastructure investments and improved quality of life.
The mayor informed that at the beginning, the project encountered strong resistance from the local population. However, after organized public hearings and information meetings with the residents of Krumovgrad and the surrounding villages during the preparation and approval phase, all fears of potential risks were overcome. The project was accepted and in recent years has made a significant contribution to local development: it has stimulated economic activity in the entire area, provided employment, supported the development of numerous small businesses and enabled the implementation of several infrastructure projects.
The delegation also spoke with local residents and representatives of the business community, who shared their experiences firsthand. During the operation of the mine, there was not a single incident that would endanger the environment.
As informed by the management, the mine will be exploited until March 2026, after which there will be a three-year period during which the company is obliged to carry out complete reclamation of the area - returning it to its original state by planting indigenous trees and plants, as well as building a sports and tourist center. The mechanization will be dismantled, and part of the facilities built for the needs of the mine, as well as the land purchased from the state, will be donated to the municipality of Krumovgrad by the Canadian company.
As part of the visit, the delegation also visited the factory in the city of Kardzhali, where gold is obtained by applying the "carbon-in-pulp" technology. The delegation was also presented with the environmental protection measures applied in the work process.
The experiences from this visit will be of great importance in the creation of new legal solutions and strategies for mining and geology. The priority will be to establish the strictest environmental standards in the exploration, exploitation and processing of mineral resources, strengthen obligations for reclamation, support local communities and ensure greater control and transparency in the sector.
The aim is to ensure greater economic benefits, higher fees and mining fees, precisely defined rights and obligations of the concessionaires, encourage domestic and sustainable investments and promote the economic potential of mining.
The Ministry expresses its gratitude to all hosts – the institutions, the company and the local self-government – ​​for the detailed information and open cooperation within the framework of this visit.
With regards,
Ministry of energy, mining and mineral resources
