Weekly Briefing, Vol. 64. No. 3 (MK) July 2023
Resurgence of anti-mining protests in South-East Macedonia
Summary
On July 15th, activists and local residents organised a blockade in the city of Strumica. Their primary objective was to vocally express their opposition against the proposed opening of mines in the southeastern region of the country. The protest, conducted under the banner of “United Against the Mine”, was jointly organized by the “Healthy Valley” Association in collaboration with other civic entities operating within the region. This protest was sparked by a governmental decision made on June 27th, which paved the way for the opening gold and copper mines in the Strumica valley. Earlier, in February, the Administrative Court reached a verdict in favor of “Euromax Resources,” the company holding the mining concession. The court ruled in their favor in a legal action brought against the government’s decision to terminate the concession contract. The revival of the mining project has been attributed to the involvement of corrupt political figures and businessmen closely aligned with the DUI political party.
On June 27th, the government made the decision to merge the concessions for the “Ilovica-Stuka” mine, effectively clearing the way for renewed mining efforts to extract gold and copper from the Strumica valley. This move triggered angry reactions from residents in the three municipalities of the region, as well as civil society organizations that have long been dedicated to safeguarding the agricultural integrity of this area.[1] Activists from the Association “Healthy Valley” almost immediately announced a protest. “With the amalgamation of the concessions and the ruling by the Administrative Court, the prospect of a mine in the agricultural region, renowned for its early horticultural production, is being rejuvenated,” they said. Moreover, they attributed the recent developments to the party-political context and connected them to the involvement of local corrupt elites from the political party DUI.[2] “The narrative is straightforward: within the significant struggle concerning the betrayal and devastation of the Strumica Valley along with its vibrant ecosystem, prominent politicians from the two major political parties (VMRO-DPMNE and SDSM) have consistently participated, capitalizing on their party and state positions. This dynamic has now been supplemented by a third party (DUI), driven by an intense desire for profit, even at the expense of the well-being and lives of not only the residents of the Strumica Valley but also those beyond it”, said the official statement issued by Healthy Valley.
Activists from the initiative had earlier exposed that a 25 percent ownership share in “Euromax Resources” was transferred to a company under the Dutch holding “ND Group,” which also encompasses “Ecolog,” a company owned by a businessman closely associated with DUI. Moreover, they presented documents that proved the ruling party DUI’s involvement in the case.[3] Henceforth, they declared their intention to actively mobilize and self-organize, steadfastly affirming their determination to prevent the establishment of any mine within their agricultural lands. In the days that followed the association issued an invitation to citizens, civil associations, and organizations nationwide, urging their presence in Strumica on July 15th for a protest road blockade.
“To the esteemed people of Macedonia, compatriots, and fellow citizens, irrespective of gender, religion, social standing, or any other categorization, a dire threat looms over Strumica Valley! The recent maneuverings by the tainted judiciary and the Government have brought mining conglomerates perilously close to initiating the catastrophic and environmentally destructive “Ilovica-Stuka” mine project. The moment has arrived for us to seize control of our destiny and firmly convey that there shall be no gold and copper mining at Ilovica-Stuka,” asserted the appeal by “Healthy Valley.”[4] The protest on the 15th of July was carried out under the banner of “United Against the Mine,” and according to the association, it marked just the initial phase of the local population’s escalation in their resistance against the mining operations. Multiple speakers addressed the gathering, voicing the demand for the annulment of concession agreements and the identification of those accountable for participating in the decision-making process concerning the potential establishment of a mine.
The Ministry of Economy said that the eventual failure to act on the ruling by the Administrative Court may result in new court proceedings, which will have serious damage to the budget through possible arbitration proceedings before international courts. And while the ministry claimed that it will not allow the opening of a mine in Ilovica without consultation with the citizens, the local residents have for many years maintained the position that there should not be a mine in that region. The anti-mining struggle in the southeast began in 2017, when small peripheral towns turned into hubs of grassroots struggles against international mining projects in the country. These citizen initiatives shared the same fear: that concessions for geological exploration or exploitation (granted as part of former Prime Minister Gruevski’s wider policy for attracting FDI’s) will bring devastating environmental and social consequences with very marginal benefits for the local areas and the country as a whole.[5] The anti-mining campaigns have emphasized the environmental risks such as the risk of cyanidation or leaching with sodium cyanide- currently the most widely used method for gold processing operations, which if leaked into soil or groundwater can produce irreparable damage to all life and the environment. Another argument against the mining projects has been that in each of the towns where anti-mining initiatives have sprung up, there is an alternative economic model that could have been adopted for securing sustainable development.[6] At least 80 mining concessions had been granted since 2012, when the Gruevski government introduced new legislation aimed at increasing business activities and investment in the mining sector. With the SDSM-DUI Government in place since May 2017, the presence of international mining companies and the consequences of their mineral exploitation remained. During the local elections in the autumn of 2017, Macedonia’s then Prime Minister, Zoran Zaev, made assurances to the residents of the South Eastern region that mining operations would not be established in their vicinity. However, these commitments were shattered on June 27th with the amalgamation of the two concessions. Nevertheless, a change of direction emerged on July 26th when Minister of Economy, Kreshnik Bekteshi, communicated to the media that the Government had reversed its decision to consolidate the concessions for the “Ilovica – Shtuka” projects. Ministers affiliated with SDSM stated that they had insufficient familiarity with the case, leading to their decision to support the merging of the concessions. Some even asserted that there would be no mine, despite their initial votes in favor of opening such facilities. Notably, Minister of the Environment Kaja Shukova, who had previously endorsed the merger without any objections as a competent authority, participated in the protest against the mining activities organized on July 15th.
The ongoing anti-mining struggles and their outcomes, (continue to) serve as a mirror to reflect on the interaction of global capitalism and democracy in the country. In July 2023, South-East Macedonia witnessed a resurgence of anti-mining protests. Activists and local residents united under the motto “United Against the Mine” to express their vehement opposition to the mining project. The catalyst for the protests was the contentious merger of the concessions for the “Ilovica-Stuka” mine, following a government decision on June 27th. The outcry against the mining initiative exposes a broader socio-environmental conflict that has been brewing since 2017. This conflict is fueled by concerns over potential environmental devastation, notably from cyanidation processes used in gold extraction. Moreover, local communities fear that the economic gains promised by mining activities are outweighed by the lasting environmental and social costs. The involvement of corrupt political figures and businessmen aligned with the DUI party further underscores the complex interplay between politics, business interests, and environmental preservation. These developments emphasize the urgency of addressing sustainable development models and prioritizing the well-being of local communities over short-term profits. The grassroots resistance and determination of “Healthy Valley” and other civic organizations signify the unwavering dedication of citizens to safeguard their region’s environmental and social integrity. As the struggle continues, it becomes evident that the delicate balance between economic advancement and environmental responsibility remains a central challenge in Macedonia’s developmental trajectory.
[1] The government merged the concessions for the “Ilovica-Stuka” mine, residents announce protests and lawsuits, published on 05.07.2023, available at
https://meta.mk/vladata-gi-spoi-koncesiite-za-rudnikot-ilovica-shtuka-zhitelite-najavuvaat-protesti-i-tuzhbi/ accessed on 03.08.2023
[2] Ibid
[3] “Ilovica – Stuka” mine with government approval “overnight”, published on 07.07.2023, available at
https://www.slobodnaevropa.mk/a/rudnik-ilovica—shtuka-so-vladin-amin-preku-nokj-/32493479.html accessed on 03.08.2023
[4] “Zdrava Kotlina” organizes a protest on July 15 against the mine “Ilovica – Stuka”, published on 07.07.2023, available at
https://meta.mk/zdrava-kotlina-organizira-protest-na-15-juli-protiv-rudnikot-ilovica-shtuka/ accessed on 03.08.2023
[5] Gjorgjioska, A. (2019). Mining and the anti-mining struggles in Macedonia, available at https://www.transform-network.net/fileadmin/user_upload/climate_and_energy_online_eng.pdf, accessed on 03.08.2023
[6] Ibid