Macedonia government prepares concessions for four new copper and gold mines

The ruling government in North Macedonia is moving forward with concessions for four planned copper‑and‑gold mines located at Kadica near Pehčevo, Ilovica‑Štuka in the Bosilovo municipality, and in the vicinity of Probištip and Kratovo. The opposition party Levica says the projects are in an advanced preparation stage and that investors are already working on their opening. "Според достапните информации, овие проекти се во напредна фаза на подготовка, а инвеститорите веќе работат на нивно отворање," the party noted.

Levica demands an immediate moratorium on the new concessions, calling for the public release of environmental impact studies, waste‑management plans, land‑reclamation measures and financial guarantees required by the Minerals Law. The party warns that the mines could involve cyanide and arsenic, echoing past pollution incidents such as the long‑term contamination in Veles after the Topolnica plant closure and arsenic deposits near Kumovo. Levica also urges the public prosecutor and interior ministry to investigate alleged irregularities in the awarding of mining licences.

The dispute highlights tensions between the government's push for mining‑driven economic growth and environmental‑health concerns raised by civil society and opposition politicians.