Venco Filipce opposes Ilovica-Stuka mine opening

SDSM leader Venco Filipce has vowed to form a ‘living wall’ to prevent the opening of the Ilovica-Stuka mine in the Bosilovo municipality. Following a meeting with local residents, Filipce expressed concerns regarding the potential impact of mining on public health and the environment.

Filipce accused the government led by Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski of attempting to ‘sell off Macedonian land’ to serve business interests. He noted that a new national spatial plan, currently under preparation by the Ministry of Environment, has marked several locations for mining, including Ilovica-Stuka, areas near Gevgelija on Mount Kozhuv, and Kriva Palanka.

The opposition leader claimed the government is using these mining plans to generate revenue after allegedly depleting the budget through party-related tenders. Filipce stated that the SDSM will use all available democratic means and parliamentary activities to oppose the formal processes required to establish these mines.