The Mining Institute of Serbia, one of the country’s pre-eminent scientific institutions, consists of three reference laboratories and two design institutes. It is accredited as a research and development institute, which shows the great importance of the link between science and practise, and has done so for a full six decades.
Over the many years of its practical work, our institute has adapted its activities to the needs of the market, while the primary goal has always been to raise the quality of services to a higher level, and that will also be the case in the years ahead, announces Dr Radosavljević.
Does the Mining Institute represent the best address for everyone interested in investing in Serbia’s mining sector, but also for those seeking to improve and expand their operations?
Setting out from the fact that an investor can receive, in one place, the service and support they need in preparing the complete investment and technical documentation that’s required, we remain the best address. Every single problem is approached in an extremely responsible and professional way, with respect for the multidisciplinary approach in finding the best solution. Representing a guarantee of quality is the 60 years of experience of the work of the Mining Institute, which has amassed more than 8,000 projects for a large number of mines in the former Yugoslavia and for several other countries around the world.
Alongside our two design institutes, the Mining Institute comprises three accredited laboratories that are well referenced and well known in their field: the Laboratory for Geomechanics; the Laboratory of Solid Fuels; and the Laboratory for Environmental Protection and Work Safety. In addition to this, the Mining Institute is accredited as a research and development institute, meaning that this link between science and practise is extremely important.
We have an exceptional partnership with EPS and realise up to 80% of our total income through that cooperation
Your experts have participated in numerous large and important projects around the world. What are you currently working on?
Over recent years, if we excluding the surrounding countries, all of our activities have been focused on the Serbian market. The institute had to change and adapt, and today it is a stable company that uses its potentials rationally. The Institute continues to strive to strike a balance between modern science and the scientific achievements and development projects that it realises on the market and under market conditions. In this sense, we generate most of our revenue – in excess of 95% – on the market by selling our services, whether that be design services or the services of our accredited laboratories. We have an exceptional partnership with EPS and realise up to 80% of our total income through that cooperation.
Projects are carried out in accordance with the Law on Mining and Geological Research, or in accordance with the Law on Planning and Construction, depending on their specific needs or requirements. Some of the important projects that we’re currently working on relate to the problematic issue of disposing of ash and slag from thermal power plants in the EPS system and environmental issues: testing emissions of pollutants into the air from our thermal power plants.
Are you preparing for the 8th Balkan Mining Congress? How important are such major gatherings of experts for the development of the sector, the advancement of cooperation, exchanges of knowledge etc.?
This year’s 8th Balkan Mining Congress was rescheduled due to the pandemic and should be held in Belgrade from 25th to 27th May. Papers have so far arrived from around 30 countries worldwide, which shows that this congress has long since surpassed regional frameworks.
Such gatherings are an opportunity to establish new contacts with the aim of exchanging knowledge, but also establishing cooperation in the mining sector between our companies and companies from around the world. We will also host some prominent experts, one of whom is academic Valentin Chanturia Ph.D., a member of the Russian Academy of Sciences.