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"The mineral industry in Kosovo is one of the main pillars for the economic development of the country. The market value of the licensed mines is estimated at 6 billion euro," said Joachim Ruecker

Prishtina, July 6, 2005 - There will be no more obstacles to starting the work at the "Trepca" mines. After more than six years of being blocked, "Trepca" and some other mines obtained licenses from the Independent Commission for Mines and Minerals of Kosovo (ICMM).

In addition to the five "Trepca" mines, licenses have also been issued to "Ferronikeli", "Boksitet e Kosovës" in Vllojake and ten other sand and gravel exploration companies.

“This is an important day for the mineral industry of Kosovo,” said UNMIK Pillar IV Chief Joachim Ruecker. According to Ruecker, this is a big step that will move forward the revitalization of mineral sector of Kosovo. Ruecker stressed that the license for Trepca and Ferronikeli are of special importance.

“The Mineral industry in Kosovo is one of the main pillars for the economic development in Kosovo,” said Ruecker, adding that the market value of the licensed mines is estimated at 6 billion euro.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Energy and Mining, Ethem Ceku, said that the licensing of Trepca and Ferronikeli is very important for Kosovo’s Budget and its economic development. “We hope that the energy and mining industry will have a great impact on Kosovo’s economic development, on the improvement of living standards, and on Kosovo’s integration into Europe,” said Ceku.

Ceku expressed the Ministry’s gratitude to UNMIK, in particular to Ruecker for their contribution to licensing mineral industries.

Miftar Hyseni, Trepca Manager, told Koha Ditore that the Stanterg mine would be the first to start working on July 25.

The 18 licensed mines are: Belo Brdo, lead zinc mine, Leposavic/Leposaviq, Trepca Crnac, lead zinc mine, Leposavic/Leposaviq, Stanterg, lead zinc mine, Mitrovice/Mitrovica, Te Aleni, construction material, Istog/Istok, N.T.P. Guri, construction material, Istog/Istok, N.U.Sh. Ferronikel, industrial minerals, Gllogoc/Glogovac, Boksitet e Kosoves”, bauxite mines, Kline/Klina, Sh.A. Trasing, construction material, Gllogoc/Glogovac, Trepca Hajvalija, lead zinc mine, Prishtine/Pristina, Trepca Artana, lead zinc mine, Novoberde/Novo Brdo, Beta Commerc, construction material, Gjilan/Gnjilane, N.T.P. Fertaxi, construction material, Shtime/Stimlje, N.T.P.N. Fasada, construction material, Shtime/Stimlje, Graniti F, construction material, Viti/Vitina, KAG Asfalt, construction material, Prizren, N.P.P. 7 Shtatori, construction material, Kacanik, New Lepenci Sh.P.K., construction material, Kacanik, Sharr Beteiligungs GmbH, construction material/cement, Kacanik.

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