EU accelerates critical mineral mining as Ilovica-Stuka remains North Macedonia's key project

The European Union is accelerating its strategy to secure critical minerals, receiving 160 applications for mining project support. Brussels is streamlining permit procedures to reduce dependency on third countries while maintaining strict environmental requirements, including scientific assessments, continuous monitoring, and financial guarantees for land reclamation.

In North Macedonia, the Ilovica-Stuka copper project remains the only major active metallic mining investment. Euromax Resources has revised the project to address environmental concerns, stating that cyanide and sulfuric acid will not be used during production. The mine is projected to operate for 23 years, producing over 16,000 tons of copper annually.

To ensure post-exploitation land restoration, the investor has committed to establishing a 30 million euro fund dedicated to reforestation and pasture vegetation renewal. While the EU is actively distributing funds through the European Investment Bank for strategic projects, mining investments in North Macedonia face ongoing delays or stagnation.