Mining has long been one of North Macedonia’s most contentious economic activities, as it brings development ambitions into conflict with environmental concerns. From past disputes over copper and gold projects to more recent debates over critical raw materials, each new proposal tends to reignite a familiar cycle: promises of jobs and investment on one side, and fears of pollution and long-term damage on the other.

The latest flashpoint is a planned antimony mining project in the Kriva Palanka region in the eastern part of the country, near the sites of Krstov Dol and the village of Luke. What might once have been a relatively local issue has quickly taken on national and even geopolitical significance, following the announcement of €5mn in financial support for critical minerals exploration linked to cooperation with the United States.

The funding agreement, signed at the headquarters of the US International Development Finance Corporation, involves Conor Coleman and Nik Jovanovski of Pela Global Limited. The company is already active in North Macedonia, focusing on gold, silver and antimony exploration, and is positioning itself as a key player in the country’s emerging role in the global critical minerals supply chain.

Government officials have framed the agreement as part of a broader strategic shift. Critical minerals, essential for renewable energy technologies, electronics and modern industry, are increasingly seen as a cornerstone of economic security.

For North Macedonia, a country seeking deeper integration into European and transatlantic structures, the sector offers a potential pathway to attract foreign investment and modernise its industrial base. Yet the announcement has also exposed the familiar fault lines within Macedonian society.

Antimony project draws national attention

In the communities closest to the proposed mining sites, reactions are mixed. Some residents are wary, demanding clarity about what exactly will be mined, how extraction will be carried out, and what environmental safeguards will be in place. Questions about water contamination, air quality and long-term land degradation are at the forefront of public concern, according to local media.

Others, however, see opportunity. In the village of Luke, support for reopening the mines is more pronounced. Years of outmigration have significantly reduced the local population, particularly among younger people. For those who remain, the promise of jobs and economic activity is not abstract—it is a potential lifeline. Mining, in this sense, is not just an industry but a means of survival.

This tension between economic necessity and environmental protection is not new. North Macedonia’s mining sector has historically been both a source of employment and a trigger for public protests.

Civil society organisations have repeatedly mobilised against projects perceived as risky, arguing that short-term gains often come at the expense of long-term sustainability.

Government stresses strict conditions

The current concession for the Luke site dates back to 2016, when it was granted to RI Energetika Pela from Skopje for a period of 30 years.

According to the energy ministry’s website, the concession agreement defines the rights and obligations related to the exploitation of lead, zinc, gold, silver and copper at the “Luke” site near Kriva Palanka.

Speaking to TV Telma, Filip Petrovski, an adviser at the ministry, said the project remains in an early exploration phase, with further studies needed before any decision on opening a mine. He noted that exploration typically lasts one to two years, after which the company would assess feasibility and potential profitability.

Only then could the concessionaire apply for a permit to exploit antimony, Petrovski added, noting that while the company already holds a mining permit, it does not cover antimony.

According to the Ministry of Energy, Mining and Mineral Resources, there have been no changes to the initial concession framework so far. However, the new international financing and heightened political attention suggest that the project may be entering a more active phase.

For the ministry, the message is clear: development under strict conditions. Officials say North Macedonia is not a direct party to the financing deal, but a supporting partner, and that any mining will be subject to strict environmental standards and oversight.

“Regarding the initiatives related to critical minerals, we would like to clearly emphasize that the Republic of [North] Macedonia in this particular case is not a contracting party, but participates as a witness and partner supporting the process,” the ministry told IntelliNews in a written statement.

The ministry has also linked the antimony project to a broader strategic dialogue with the United States, which includes cooperation on energy security and natural gas diversification. In this context, mining is not an isolated initiative but part of a wider effort to strengthen the country’s economic resilience and geopolitical positioning.

“Macedonia has a clear ambition to catch up with the world in the area of critical minerals as well,” the ministry stated.

Still, at the local level, the debate is far more immediate and concrete.

Mayor calls for caution and safeguards

Kriva Palanka mayor Sasko Mitovski has struck a cautious tone, acknowledging both the potential benefits and the serious risks.

“This is an extremely sensitive topic that is attracting great attention from the public, given its economic and environmental dimensions,” he told IntelliNews in a written statement.

Publicly, he has described mining as part of the town’s historical identity, noting that the region has developed around this industry for decades.

“Additionally, if analyses confirm that this is one of the largest antimony deposits, it could open up significant development prospects and bring substantial benefits to the citizens of Kriva Palanka,“ Mitovski said in a Facebook post.

At the same time, he has made it clear that any new investment must meet the highest environmental and safety standards.

Mitovski has outlined a set of conditions he considers essential: a closed production process, no release of harmful substances, and no impact on water, soil or air. He has also called for strong financial guarantees, including bank-backed assurances to cover any potential environmental damage.

Perhaps more significantly, he has stressed the need for broad societal involvement. In his view, decisions of this magnitude cannot be reduced to a simple “for” or “against”. Instead, they require input from experts, academics, civil society and the local community, supported by transparent data on production technologies and environmental impact.

The possibility of a local referendum adds another layer of complexity. Under Macedonian law, citizens can initiate a referendum if they gather sufficient support, making it a legitimate democratic tool.

However, Mitovski has cautioned that such a process must be informed by facts and expertise, rather than driven by political narratives.

Political tensions emerge

And politics, inevitably, is part of the equation.

The opposition Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM) has already raised concerns, alleging that companies linked to the antimony project have connections to figures close to the ruling VMRO-DPMNE led by PM Hristijan Mickoski.

While such claims are not uncommon in the country’s highly polarised political landscape, they add to public scepticism and underscore the need for transparency.

For many observers, the antimony project encapsulates a broader dilemma facing North Macedonia. On one hand, the country is under pressure to accelerate economic growth, create jobs and align with global trends in energy and industrial policy.

On the other, it must address legitimate concerns about environmental protection and public health, particularly in regions that have already experienced the downsides of industrial activity.

Antimony itself is a strategically important mineral, used in flame retardants, batteries and various high-tech applications. As global demand rises, countries with untapped reserves are increasingly seen as valuable partners in supply diversification efforts.

This gives North Macedonia a potential advantage, but also increases the pressure to manage resources responsibly.

The Kriva Palanka case could set an important precedent. Done transparently, with strong safeguards and community involvement, it could show mining and environmental protection can coexist. If not, it may deepen public distrust and opposition.