The mining and flotation operations managed by Serbs in the north are not providing any statistics on concentrate production or ore exploitation to the “Trepça” company. However, in the business plan for 2025, the company has included projections for revenues from this unit, which it does not control, with an estimated value of over 16 million euros.
The “Trepça” company does not have data for 2024 regarding the production of lead and zinc concentrate or the exploitation of ores in the mine managed by Serbs in the north.
The Ministry of Economy did not respond to KOHË’s questions about its control over the Kopaonik Flotation in Leposaviq, and the “Trepça” company acknowledged the lack of data from the management of this unit.
“We do not have data for the exploitation of ore from the Cërrnac and Bello Bërdo mines or for the production of concentrate at the Flotation in Leposaviq during 2024,” confirmed “Trepça.”
Despite this, “Trepça” stated that it is preparing the business plan for 2025, which includes the mines and flotation in the north, expected to generate over 16 million euros in revenue.
“In the Cërrnac mine, according to the 2025 Business Plan, it is expected that 165,996 tons of ore with lead content of 2.77% and zinc content of 2.66% will be exploited during 2025. From this ore, it is expected to produce 5,892 tons of lead concentrate and 5,472 tons of zinc concentrate. The value of this concentrate is expected to be 9,480,000 euros for lead concentrate and 6,276,000 euros for zinc concentrate. Total revenue from the sale of concentrate and other revenues is projected to be 16,230,000 euros,” stated the company.
Economic expert Fidan Qerimi says that this action does not reflect an accurate picture in the Business Plan for “Trepça.”
“It is unprofessional, not because they are included in the business plan, but because the entire business plan, or a large part of the revenues, is based on those mines or production lines for which the company unfortunately has no information because they have operated in parallel, as parallel enterprises, and have not reported to the company at all,” said Qerimi.
However, “Trepça” has insisted that progress has been made in extending control over the unit in the north.
“Recently, there have been significant advances in controlling ore exploitation, concentrate production, and managing revenues and expenses. Everything is moving in the right direction, but there is still much work to be done so that this business unit of ‘Trepça’ functions normally, just like the other business units,” stated the company in a response.
In 2016, the government changed the status of the three main units of “Trepça.” The mines with flotation in Stanterg, those in Kishnicë and Artanë, as well as the mines in Leposaviq, now operate within the joint-stock company, where 80% of the ownership belongs to the government and 20% to the workers./Koha.net
