A public debate was held at the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia, where the Ministry of Energy, Mining, and Mineral Resources presented the new draft laws on mining and geology. The focus of the debate was on harmonization with EU standards, digitalization, and the sustainable management of natural resources.

Sector companies had the opportunity to review the proposed legislation once again, identify challenges in their practical implementation, and propose improvements in the interest of both the state and the economy. The proposed solutions aim to ensure greater legal certainty, encourage investments, streamline administrative procedures, and strengthen environmental protection.

Mining and geology are not merely economic activities. They represent a vital part of the country’s industrial foundation, providing raw materials for numerous other sectors, creating jobs, contributing to local and regional development, and playing a significant role in the economic and strategic security of the country.

For this sector to develop sustainably and competitively, a stable, clear, and predictable legal framework is essential. Rules are needed that will enable responsible management of mineral resources, high-quality geological surveying, safe operations, and environmental protection, while simultaneously creating conditions for new investments and the modernization of existing mines.

The special Law on Geology establishes a systemic framework for geological research and data management, while the introduction of the Macedonian Mining and Geological Information System (MakRGIS) will enable digitalization and greater accessibility of information.

The Law on Mining provides for the implementation of the Strategy for Mineral Resources, the establishment of mechanisms to support strategic projects, and alignment with EU policies in the field of critical raw materials.

In the area of environmental protection, the new legal provisions introduce an obligation to provide financial guarantees in the amount of 100% of the funds required for remediation and recultivation. Through this, the state secures a mechanism to guarantee the necessary funds for land restoration following the completion of exploitation activities.

At the same time, modern rules are being introduced for mining waste management, mandatory mine closure and recultivation plans, as well as measures for the rehabilitation of historically degraded mining sites. In this manner, environmental protection mechanisms are reinforced, and conditions are established for a more responsible and sustainable utilization of mineral resources.

Representatives of the Macedonian Mining Association (MAR) once again clearly highlighted the issues, substantiated their remarks, and proposed concrete solutions. They presented the experiences of companies that apply legal provisions in their daily operations, alongside the expert opinions of geologists, mining engineers, and other sector professionals.

The President of the Association, Dime Petroski, emphasized the importance of cooperation with the Ministry, stressing that only through open dialogue and constructive cooperation can solutions be reached that will protect the public interest, ensure greater legal certainty, and enable the development of a competitive, technologically modern, and environmentally responsible mining sector.

"As an Association, we have a responsibility to unite the stances of our members, represent their justified interests, and contribute to creating laws that are applicable, sustainable, and beneficial to the state over the long term," Petroski noted in his opening address.