Serbia Zijin Copper LLC Bor, a subsidiary of Zijin Mining Group, has filed a formal request with Serbia’s Ministry of Environmental Protection to prepare an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the planned exploitation of the Cementation 2 and Cementation 3 ore bodies at the Kraku Bugaresku–Cerovo Cementation deposit, near Bor.
The new project marks a continuation of decades-long mining activity in the region, following previous open-pit operations at Cementation 1, according to eKapija. The deposit lies about 13 kilometers from Bor and 2 kilometers from Mali Krivelj, on the ridge of the Kraku Bugaresku hill.
Project Scope and Development Phases
The EIA request, prepared by the Faculty of Mining and Geology at the University of Belgrade, builds on earlier approvals from the Ministry of Mining and Energy dating back to 1991 and 2018.
Mining at Cementation 2 and 3 will proceed in five phases:
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Initial extraction in the northern section of Cementation 2.
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Expansion southwest.
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Opening of the Cementation 3 pit.
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Southward expansion of both pits.
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Subsequent exploitation of Cementation 4 reserves in the southeast.
The open-pit Cementation 2 is designed to produce 3.5 million tonnes of ore annually over a seven-year mine life. The project’s estimated net present value (NPV) stands at $117 million in the best-case scenario, positioning it among Serbia’s most significant mining investments in recent years.
Waste Management and Environmental Measures
Ore extraction will follow discontinuous mining technology, involving drilling, blasting, loading, and transport to the primary crusher, alongside drainage and auxiliary works.
A total of 61.1 million tonnes of waste rock is expected to be generated. The existing waste rock dumps from Cementation 1 will be expanded to accommodate material from Cementation 2 and 3, increasing total dump capacity to 61.9 million tonnes.
The project also requires hydrological modification: the Cerova River, which flows between the open pit and access roads, will be diverted and piped, with a reinforced embankment wall constructed downstream to protect infrastructure.
Context and Outlook
The Kraku Bugaresku–Cerovo expansion reinforces Zijin’s long-term presence in Serbia, where the company operates major copper and gold projects. It also reflects the continued development of Serbia’s Bor mining basin into a regional hub for base metals production.
The forthcoming Environmental Impact Assessment will evaluate the project’s potential effects on water resources, biodiversity, waste management, and local communities, determining the conditions under which exploitation may proceed.
