Contrary to the party’s position that citizens must decide in a referendum whether to restart the antimony mine near the village of Luke, the KrivaPalankamayor has nothing against this investment. On the contrary, he believes it is good for the city and announced that all dilemmas regarding the possible consequences for the environment and the health of the population will be put on the table with the investor, TV Telmasaid in its analysis.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister HristijanMickoski saidMonday that he will personally guarantee that the antimony mine will not endanger the environment. Mickoski also said that everyone’s right to request a referendum is constitutionally guaranteed and is not in dispute, but the conditions for its convening must be met.
A referendum at the local level can be called by the municipal council, on its own initiative and at the proposal of at least 20% of the citizens of the municipality.
The Social Democrats, who requested a referendum, will have to wait with the collection of signatures.
The Australian company for mining of critical and precious metals Pela Global has a concession for the exploration and exploitation of antimony in the area of the village of Luke, whose founder and CEO is Nick Jovanovski, originally from Macedonia. They signed an agreement for financial support in the amount of 5 million dollars with the US government’s Development Finance Institution (DFC). The antimony that will be mined in Macedonia will be sold in the United States. The KrstovDol mine was closed in 1981, due to the then low prices of this ore.
