The Minister of Environment and Physical Planning, Kaja Shukova, visited the Sasa mine in Makedonska Kamenica, for which the procedure for amending the A – Integrated Environmental Permit is in the final stage.
During the visit, Minister Shukova, by part of the management staff of Sasa mine, represented by technical director Borce Gocevski, financial director Maksim Narimbetov and Head of the Environment Department Marija Stojanovska, was informed about the changes within the framework of the installation based on which Request for modification of A – Integrated Environmental Permit has been submitted.
As informed by Sasa Mine, in the past few years, this mining capacity has been intensively invested in various areas, including the environment. The capital investments are in the direction of developing safe, environmentally responsible and stable operation of the Sasa Mine and extending the “life” of the mine.
Within the framework of the installation, significant changes have been implemented in terms of improving work processes by applying the best available technologies, and serious investments have been made in ensuring sustainable development and improving environmental protection. What is most impactful is the change in the method of excavation by backfilling, including a change in the way flotation tailings are managed. This implies the construction of additional facilities needed for the implementation of the new project, a change in the way of tailings management, the construction of a number of new stations, such as a station for the preparation of paste with accompanying facilities and a pipeline for transporting the backfill, a plant for dry disposal, reconstruction of a warehouse for hazardous waste, a waste warehouse, a new engine laboratory and a number of others.
The introduction of the new method of mining the ore and the new way of managing the tailings, which are in accordance with the best available technologies, will have a multiple positive impact for the further sustainable development of the SASA mine, maintaining the high level of safety, as well as an even higher degree of environmental protection.
“Sasa is a good example of how to invest in the environment and how with transition and application of the best available technologies, sustainable use of natural resources can be ensured and an economic benefit provided, but not to the detriment of the environment” the minister Shukova said.