Out of 26 mineral deposits on Montenegro territory, 20 of them are still awaiting exploitation. As Dnevne Novine was told in that government sector, this may become a reality after necessary conditions are created at state and local levels.
We expect existing initiatives to grow into valuable investments and additionally attract investors not only from the Western Balkans, but beyond,” the Ministry stated.
Still, asked by Dnevne Novine whether concessions for unused mineral deposits are planned soon, they did not provide a precise answer.
“The state plan for the exploitation of mineral deposits envision the creation of a broader plan and exploitation plan for each deposit, which encompasses all locations, types and qualities, as well as secured reserves,” the Ministry stated, calling upon the State Plan for Mineral Deposits Exploitation from 2019 to 2029, which is due to be established by the end of this year.
Out of the established 26 locations with mineral deposits in Montenegro, 6 are currently being used – coal, bauxite, iron, zinc as well as various types of stone.
Previously 9 of those deposits were exploited, stated the Ministry – cement marl, tuff and barite in Pljevlja. Clay was also extracted in Pljevlja, but also in Berane, Bijelo Polje, Kolašin, Danilovgrad and Tivat. Bentonites were retrieved from Cmrnica, tufa from Šavnik, white bauxites from Cetinje, gravel and sand of glacial origin from Žabljak and sea salt in Ulcinj.
“The nine types that were not exploited are peat, oil and gas, mercury, chrome, titan, iron, copper, as well as dolomites, quartz and gypsum,” as the Ministry cited.
According to preliminary data for this year, 6.9 million euro of colored metals were exported in January, 12 million in February. As for the previous year, the value of exported colored metal was 71.9 million euro or 19.35 percent of the total 371.5 million euro in export.
“Two years ago, when export was 325.8 million, colored metals accounted for 19.34 percent or 63 million euro. The percentage remains at the same level, although the absolute value has grown by around nine million euro,” the Ministry concluded.
Translated from Café del Montenegro, for the original click here.
