The government at a recent session reached a decision to finance the maintenance of the mines Toranica and Zletovo with EUR 60,000 from December 2015 to July 2016, said caretaker PM Emil Dimitriev.

“The government had made a decision to take over the maintenance because without a concessioner, there’s a legal foundation and what’s more important, we have an obligation to take care of the maintenance of the mines until they are sold,” PM Dimitriev said after a meeting with representatives of the mines Toranica in Kriva Palanka and Zletovo in Probistip and the mayors of the two municipalities.

He said they discussed measures taken by the government aimed at restarting ‘these two major capacities in Macedonia.’

 “We told them a call has been issued to award concession for mineral raw materials, which closes on March 14. On March 16 public auction will be held to pick a company that will win the concession of mineral raw materials,” said Dimitriev.

The meeting also focused on ways to maintain the mines. “It’s a period that in fact should overlap with the period during which a new investor has to be found to restart the mines. Officials of the mines welcomed the move saying the government is sending a signal of support to the demands of these two companies and helping the companies to be restarted,” noted Dimitriev.

In the meantime, he added, the government and the Ministry of Economy are contacting interested companies. “I expect several companies to show interest to invest in the mines until the tender closes.”