The government of North Macedonia has terminated 45 mining concessions due to violations of legal and environmental regulations, as well as unpaid fees and unauthorized transfers, Deutsche Welle’s local branch reported.
According to the report, 34 contracts were unilaterally terminated, while 11 expired and were not renewed. The Ministry of Economy said the decision followed findings of non-compliance, including unpaid concession fees, unauthorized transfers of rights, and extraction beyond permitted zones.
Between January and October 1, authorities conducted 170 extraordinary inspections and 78 regular checks, resulting in the enforcement measures.
The move comes amid tightened government oversight of North Macedonia’s natural resource sector, part of a broader effort to improve transparency, environmental compliance, and responsible resource management in the country’s mining industry.
