The surface mine in Pranjani has started operating again after a decade, given that Kraljevo’s Magnohrom, which also encompasses this mine, has been acquired by a new owner
Fifteen years after privatisation, the lead and zinc mine has been relaunched at full capacity, has close to 500 employees and is of great importance to the local government, given that part of the funds for renting the mine is returned directly to the local government for the construction of infrastructure, says Dejan Kovačević, President of the Municipality of Gornji Milanovac, speaking to CorD
After a break lasting a decade, the Brezak surface mine for magnesite resumed operations last September. Why wasn’t it previously operating and who invested how much to bring it back to life?
– Following the successful privatisation of the magnesite surface mine in Pranjani, the mine began operating again after a ten-year break. There are currently about 30 employees working at the mine, while the goal is to employ sixty to seventy workers by the end of the year, in order for it to continue at full capacity in the period ahead.
The reopening of the Brezak Mine is extremely important for the municipality of Gornji Milanovac, because – in addition to the development of industry and the economy in the very centre of the town – industry is also developing successfully in other parts of the municipality.
The Brezak surface mine in Pranjani resumed operating because Kraljevo’s Magnohrom, which also encompasses this mine, has been acquired by a new owner.
Apart from lead and zinc, what does this mine mean for Pranjani and the local government itself?
– Fifteen years after its privatisation, the lead and zinc mine has been relaunched at full capacity, has close to 500 employees and is of great importance to the local government, given that part of the funds for renting the mine is returned directly to the local government for the construction of infrastructure.
We have one major lead and zinc mine which has been operating successfully for several years after privatisation, which I must say is one of the best in Serbia, and operates with approximately 500 employees and generates high earnings.
In addition to the relaunch of Brezak, we will soon also have some new facilities that we’ll open and tour, and that’s something that’s very important for both Gornji Milanovac and Pranjani itself.
How many employees are at Brezak; what are the estimated reserves of ores, what are they used for and are there plans to open new plants?
– The Brezak surface mine in Pranjani means a lot to the whole Pranjani area, given that after the closure of both the mine and fashion garment company Rudnik in Pranjani, we were left without almost any plants. This will mean a new life for the whole Pranjani area. The Brezak mine has great prospects and we hope that, after this privatisation and the re-opening of the mine, it will achieve excellent results in the decades to come.
Photo by Branka Vučićević Vučković