Mining resources
The territory of the Republic of Kosovo is characterized with a complex geological formation. This is proven by numerous older and contemporary geological formations. The great formational diversity, the intrusive and effusive activities, sediment effects and tectonics have impacted the formation of numerous important mineral types and resources, as well as energy, metallic and non-metallic minerals.1
Deposits of Lead (Pb), Zinc (Zn) and Silver (Ag)
The most important lead and zinc resources and appearances are located in the so called “Metallogenic Trepça belt”, which lies in the northeastern part of Republic of Kosovo, ranging from Albanik (Leposavic) to Gllame (Gjilan). The belt length is over 80km, whereas its average width is around 30km.
In Republic of Kosovo, there is number of developed mines (main mines) and a number of deposits that were assessed before but never developed. The (main) developed mines are: mine “Trepça” in Stantërg, Hajvalia, Badofci, Kizhnica, Artana, Bellobërda and Cërnaci.1
Rezerves of deposits of Pb, Zn and Ag
| Mines | Category | Ton | Pb% | Zn% | Ag/g t |
| Stantërg | A+B+C1 | 12,319,303.00 | 3.96 | 2.61 | 65.44 |
| Artana (Përroi i ngjyrosur+Kaltrina) | A+B+C1 | 7,914,014.00 | 2.62 | 3.14 | 106.23 |
| Hajvalia, Badovc, Kishnica | A+B+C1 | 4,675,000.00 | 5.49 | 4.17 | 79.9 |
| Bello Berdo | A+B+C1 | 1,995,979.00 | 7.5 | 5.87 | 87 |
| Crnac | A+B+C1 | 2,377,548.00 | 5.1 | 3.18 | 66 |
| Total | A+B+C1 | 28,481,844.00 | 4.08 | 3.2 | 80.1 |
Data provided by the “Kosovo Resource Mineral Management Plan” 2010
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[1] ( Strategjia_Minerare_e_R_Kosoves_2012-2025_shqip.pdf)
Deposits of Nickel-Cobalt
Systematic explorations in Kosovo for the discovering of Ni-Co deposits has started in 1961. The exploitation of nickel ore and its processing-melting and profitability of Fe-Ni alloy began in 1984. There are two open cast mines, as part of Ferronikel: Gllavica and Çikatova and geological exploration unit and smelter also. Between 1982 and 1999, 7,092,090.00 tons of minerals containing 1.21 % Ni were extracted; while between 1984-1997 in total 36,728.00 tons of nickel metal were produced. After 1997 Ferronikeli smelter was not in operation until 2007 when it was re-activated after privatization by NewCo Ferronikeli Complex L.L.C. 1.
| Mines | Category | Ore in ton | Ni% | Co% |
| Gllavicë | A+B+C1 | 6,240,072.00 | 1.35 | 0.06 |
| Çikatovë | A+B+C1 | 6,978,972.00 | 1.35 | 0.06 |
| Total | A+B+C1 | 13,219,044.00 | 1.35 | 0.06 |
Data from “Map of Minerals (MM 200) (2nd Update), Metallogenic / Minerogenic Map (MetM 200)”
Deposits of Bauxites
The bauxite mine started its activity in 1966, where the exploitation of the bauxite was done with the open-cast method. Before the closure of the mine in 1990 this mine has produced annual production up to 100,000 tons of bauxite1.
| Mine | Ton | Al2O3% | SiO2% | TiO2% | Fe2O3% |
| Grebnik | 1,700,000.00 | 49.00 | 2.25 | 1.50 | 27.50 |
Data taken from Kosovo bauxite materials
Deposits of Magnesite
Between 1964 and 1999, In the magnesium mine in Golesh are exploited about 4.6Mt of minerals, containing 44.49% MgO, 0.2-5.0% SiO2 and 0.2-1.5% CaO.
The Strezoc mine started surface exploitation in 1962, continuing underground activities in early 1986. In Dardana, sintering plant was opened in beginning of 1974. Annual capacities of this plant were around 20,000.00 tons of magnesium sinter.
| Mines | Ton | MgO% | SiO2% | CaO% |
| Magurë-Golesh | 2,400,000.00 | 46.22 | 2.76 | 0.89 |
| Strezovc | 1,700,000.00 | 41.29 | 5.35 | 5.62 |
| Dubovc | 964,949.00 | 42.85-45.86 | 1.29-6.7 | 1.26-2.78 |
http://www.mzhe-ks.net/repository/docs/Broshura_balline_shq.pdf
