Most of the works that the Mining Institute is engaged in are in, or for, Public Enterprise Elektroprivreda Serbia (EPS), but the institute is also engaged in other areas
The Mining Institute of Serbia marks its 60th anniversary in 2020. During this time, more than 5,000 projects have emerged from this institute, with which it has acquired enviable references in the country and around the world, with more than 70 open mines, 11 patents etc., says qualified mining engineer and direct of the institute Dr. Milinko Radosavljević.
We are witnesses to the fact that Serbia has huge mining potential. What is the role of the Mining Institute in this area?
– The role of the Institute is significant, as it is a place where the right information and logistics can be obtained by all those who are ready to invest in the mining sector. The institute deals comprehensively with mining, energy and protection of the natural and working environment, playing an important role in the mining sector. We are witnessing the ever growing interest of large mining companies and their significant investments in geological research, while – among other things – many foreign companies have been present on the territory of Serbia for years.
Which specific works is the Institute engaged in; how many employees do you have and are you still under state ownership?
– The Mining Institute mostly generates its revenue by selling its services on both the domestic and the markets of the region. The Institute’s activities are conducted through two design departments: the Department for the Design of Mineral-Raw Material Mining and the Department for Mineral Processing and Design, as well as three accredited testing laboratories. The majority of works that the Mining Institute is engaged in are in or for Public Enterprise Elektroprivreda Serbia (EPS), but the institute is also engaged in other areas.
More than 5,000 projects have emerged from this institute, with more than 70 open mines according to project designs of the Mining Institute, more than 20 tailing ponds and ash dump sites, over 40 mineral processing plants, 11 patents etc.
I will mention just a few of the current ones: the Project for a Construction Permit in the Second Phase of Construction of the Kostolac B3 Thermal Power Plant (resolving the problem of external transportation of ash, slag and gypsum); the Technical Reclamation Project for the 400km long main gas pipeline; (Inter-connector) Bulgarian border – Hungarian border; Periodic measurements of emissions of pollutants and testing the integrity of analysers (Analyser Management System) in thermal power plants.
Otherwise, the Mining Institute has approximately 90 full-time employees, most of whom are highly skilled staff of various profiles. It is state-owned and accredited as a research and development institute.
You celebrate a major anniversary in 2020. The Institute was important in Yugoslavia and remains important in Serbia today. What would you single out as your greatest achievements in the areas in which you work?
– We are extremely proud of our upcoming anniversary marking 60 years since our founding. Generally speaking, it is today a stable entrprise that’s recognisable on the market. When it comes to achievements, it is enough to point out that more than 5,000 projects have emerged from this institute, with which it has acquired enviable references in the country and around the world, with more than 70 open mines according to project designs of the Mining Institute, more than 20 tailing ponds and ash dump sites, over 40 mineral processing plants, 11 patents etc. In the year ahead, the year of our anniversary, we will host the major gathering of the eighth consecutive Balkan Mining Congress, which will be held in Belgrade in June.