Macedonia's Ilovica-Štuка Copper Mine Project Defended by Local Initiative Amid Misinformation Claims

The local initiative "И Здравје и Работа" says the public debate over the Ilovica‑Štuка copper mine project in Macedonia is dominated by fear, speculation and misinformation rather than scientific evidence.

The group highlights that the project plans to use dry‑stack tailings technology, which stores filtered, low‑water content tailings and is regarded as one of the most advanced, low‑risk solutions in modern mining. It also includes water monitoring and protection measures that meet legal and environmental standards.

The initiative urges the Macedonian government to approve the project if all conditions are satisfied, arguing that rejection would harm the country’s long‑term interests, limit job creation and impede Europe’s access to critical minerals.