NALED: Mining should be included in development strategy

BELGRADE - The National Alliance for Local Economic Development (NALED) proposed on Monday that the Serbian government should include mining in Serbia's development strategy as this sector could contribute considerably to the economic development and creating jobs.

The capital investments that accompany the opening of mines could be particularly useful in underdeveloped regions of Serbia which contain substantial ore reserves.

An analysis by NALED and consultancy company Breakthrough showed that there are only nine metal and mineral mines in Serbia, three of which are state-owned while six are in private property.

During 2013, 135 exploration permits were active.

If only a third of these permits were turned into operating ones, five new mines could be opened which could yield EUR 4 billion of capital investments.

Five new mines would entail creation of 1,000 direct and 3,600 indirect jobs, reads NALED statement.

The research to date has showed that the first new mines could be opened in three to five years at the earliest, said the private-public business association with more than 170 member companies, local governments, and non-government organizations.

The analysis by NALED and Breakthrough showed that the maps of underdeveloped areas and potential mines coincide almost completely.

The greatest advantage for the locals in these areas is the fact that mining generates well-paid jobs. The average net income in Serbia amounted to EUR 385 in 2013, while the average income in the mining sector stood at RSD 956.