MINING SECTOR 2021
INTERVIEW
BRANKO ZEČEVIĆ, PRESIDENT OF THE GEOLOGICAL AND MINING ASSOCIATION OF SERBIA (GRAS)
New Mines Bring
NEW TECHNOLOGIES If the version of amendments to the Law on Mining is finally adopted, we will receive one of the best laws in Europe and the world. This is one of the preconditions for Serbia to be able to fully utilise its capacities in this area and enable intensive momentum for mining In the past few weeks, GRAS has been working intensively with the Ministry of Mining and Energy on a proposal to amend the Mining Law. I think that, in the end, we reached a jointly harmonised version that will satisfy both the state and investors. If this version of amendments to the Law on Mining is finally adopted, that will mean Serbia receiving a law that can be considered one of the best in Europe and anywhere in the world. ow can it be ensured that the shortening of procedures still satisH fies the large number of conditions for the entire process to be led transparent and responsibly? The introduction of e-government to the process of submitting applications and issuing solutions will speed up the process itself, as
Serbia must redevelop its base industry to a much higher level than it is at today, and I’m hopeful of some practical steps in that direction well as rendering it more transparent. However, a large number of steps and necessary permissions, approvals and other documents exist that are not issued by the Ministry of Mining itself, so it remains for us to see what these changes will mean in practise.
R
est assured that no one will open a new mine in Serbia tomorrow using twentieth-century technology - says Branko Zečević, president of the Geological and Mining Association of Serbia (GRAS). The foreign companies that are coming to Serbia apply the latest technologies and solutions in mining, which relate to both the efficient exploitation of ores and a positive relationship towards environmental protection. I n your opinion, to what extent will the announced amendments to the Law on Mining impact on improving procedures in this area? 40
I s this enough, or will it be necessary to make changes to some other laws and regulations? This is an essential first step. After that, work should continue with other ministries and administrative bodies on the harmonisation of laws and regulations, in order for us to ease and accelerate the issuance of permits and approvals. The process is complex and there is still a lot of work ahead of us. lthough we always consider mining as being an extremely labourA intensive activity, we are witnessing the grad entry of Industry 4.0. and digital transformation into this sector. Where are we in this; and what can we hope for in the coming period? The vast majority of mining and geological companies that are active in Serbia monitor the latest advances in our industry. Some of them
