Macedonia - Mining

The industrial minerals and construction material sectors were major contributors to the 5.1% rise in GDP in 2000, a growth caused mainly by postwar reconstruction demands in Kosovo and freer access to markets in the EU. Industry and mining accounted for 21.1% of Macedonia's GDP. Macedonia's top industries in 2002 were, in order, coal, metallic chromium, lead, zinc, and ferronickel. Lead-zinc ore was mined at Kamenica and Probistip; copper, at Bucim; and iron ore, at Tajmite, Demir Hisar, and Damjan. Gold, bentonite, diatomite, feldspar, lime, talc, pumice, stone (carbonite and silicate), gypsum, and sand and gravel were also produced in 2000. About 20% of mine output of industrial minerals was consumed domestically; the balance went mainly to Balkan countries, the EU, and Russia. Production totals in 2000 were, in tons: lead, 25,000; zinc, 12,200, down from 50,000 in 1994; copper, 10,000; and silver, 20,000 kg, up from 10,000 in 1994. In 2000, the government sold 82% of shares of the country's principal mine producer of copper. No chromite was produced in 1998, 1999, and 2000, and no nickel was produced in 2000.