From Kumanovo to Gevgelija, the government is launching a large-scale procedure to explore the potential for metal mineral raw materials. The decision does not allow mining, but it can open the way to new geological discoveries and future investment projects.
North Macedonia is taking a serious step towards a more complete exploration of the mineral potential in the eastern and southeastern part of the country.
By decision of 30 June 2026 G. the government initiates a procedure for granting a concession for prospecting geological studies of metal mineral raw materials into space, labeled "East". It covers territories in 27 municipalities — from Kumanovo and Kratovo in the north to Strumica, Valandovo and Gevgelija to the south.
This is one of the largest territorial extents for an initial geological survey, announced in the country in recent years. However, the decision does not mean, that mines will be discovered immediately in these municipalities. At this stage, the goal is to establish prospective areas, which may be explored in more detail in the future.
What exactly did the government decide?
The official decision no 57-4047/9 was adopted at a meeting of the government of North Macedonia on 30 June 2026 G.
The main goal, recorded in the document, is:
- discovery of new prospective research areas;
- determining areas for subsequent detailed geological studies;
- establishment of potential new deposits of metal mineral raw materials.
The procedure is for the granting of one concession for initial geological exploration for metallic mineral resources in the "East" space. The future concessionaire will be selected from among the applicants, which fulfill the conditions in the tender documentation and the public invitation.
The decision does not specify a pre-selected company. No specific candidates have been announced, size of the investment program or final financial terms.
What are included 27 municipalities
The space "East" covers territories in the municipalities:
Berovo, Bosilovo, Valandovo, Vasilevo, Veles, Vinitsa, Gevgelia, Delcevo, Demir Kapia, Certainly, A pinch, Cobs, Piercing, You're happy, Strumica, Saint Nicholas, Kumanovo, Staro Nagoricane, Cheshinovo–Obleshevo, Zarnovtsi, Carbines, Pehcevo, Vine, Petrovec, Kratovo, Negotino and Novo Selo.
It's a wide belt, which crosses a significant part of the eastern half of the country.
However, it is important to make a distinction: specifying a municipality in the decision does not necessarily mean, that its entire administrative territory will be subject to investigation. No map is presented in the published two-page document, area or coordinates of the specific survey boundaries. These parameters are expected to be specified in the subsequent tender documentation.
Exploration does not mean permission to mine
The term "concession" is often associated directly with the construction of a mine, but the present decision refers to a different and much earlier stage.
Prospective geological surveys aim to determine whether geological structures and mineralization exist in a given territory, which deserve further investigation.
They do not confer automatic entitlement to:
- industrial extraction;
- construction of a mine and a processing plant;
- exploitation of a specific deposit;
- extraction and sale of mineral raw materials.
The Ministry of Energy itself, the mining and mineral resources of North Macedonia considers concessions for prospecting studies as separate administrative areas, concessions for detailed geological studies and exploitation concessions. This distinction is also visible in the official list of administrative procedures of the ministry.
Therefore, if a prospective site is discovered, moving to detailed exploration and possible future mining will require further decisions, negotiate, technical documentation and relevant permitting procedures.
How the concessionaire will be selected
The procedure must be carried out through public invitation and electronic auction.
The government envisages the creation of a special commission on the proposal of the Minister of Energy, mining and mineral resources. The commission must be formed by 360 days from the entry into force of the decision.
After its creation, it will prepare:
- the tender documentation;
- the public invitation;
- the project of the concession contract;
- requirements for candidates;
- the evaluation criteria;
- the technical and financial conditions.
The prepared documentation will be submitted for government approval. After its approval, the public invitation must be announced within ten days. The concession granting procedure itself must be carried out by 360 days after the formation of the commission.
The fee for receiving the tender documentation is set at 6000 Macedonian denars.
What is not yet known
The government decision provides the initial legal framework, but leaves a number of important questions for the next stage.
Not yet published:
- the exact coordinates and area of the "East" space;
- the specific program of geological activities;
- the term of the future concession;
- the minimum investment commitments;
- the initial amount of the concession fee;
- the technical and financial requirements for applicants;
- the specific metals, which will be the main object of search.
The general definition is used in the decision "metallic mineral raw materials", without listing individual metals.
These details will be particularly important in assessing the real scale of the initiative and interest, which it can cause among local and international companies.
The Balkans are once again the focus of geological research
North Macedonia's decision is part of a wider trend towards increased geological exploration and investment in mineral resources in the Balkans.
In neighboring Serbia, international companies are expanding copper exploration, gold and related metals. Geotopia has already introduced the new explorations for copper and gold in Eastern Serbia, which show the increasing interest in the geological potential of the region.
This interest is also developing against the background of the new European policy to reduce dependence on external suppliers. As Geotopia wrote, Europe is already making critical raw materials a strategic priority, related to industrial competitiveness, energy security and defense capabilities.
In this context, geological information becomes an asset of strategic importance. The states, who know their own resources better, can more realistically plan their future economic and industrial policy.
What's to come
The next key step will be the establishment of the commission and the publication of the tender conditions.
Only then will it become clear:
- exactly what area will be studied;
- what period will be granted to the concessionaire;
- what geological activities will be required;
- which companies can participate;
- how proposals will be evaluated;
- what financial and technical guarantees will be required.
Until these documents are published, the decision should be seen as the beginning of an administrative and investigative process, and not as an endorsement of specific mines.
Geotopia opinion: Geological knowledge is a strategic resource
The decision of North Macedonia shows, that the countries of the Balkans are starting to look more seriously at their mineral potential.
Geological exploration is not the same as mining. It is a way of finding out what lies beneath the earth's surface, in what quantities and whether an economically promising resource exists at all. Without reliable geological data, there is no informed government policy either, nor a real assessment of the possible investments and risks.
However, the scale of the "East" space requires clear maps, transparent terms, professionally conducted procedure and publicity of the results. The true value of the initiative will not be measured only by the number of territories explored, but with the quality of the collected information and the way, according to which it will be managed in public and economic interest.
While in North Macedonia, the state is actively promoting geological exploration and looking for new deposits of strategic and metal raw materials, in Bulgaria we too often witness administrative delays, political vacillation and strong pressure against any new project. Geological surveys do not automatically mean building a mine - they are a way to find out what natural resources the country has. Without research, there are no new deposits, no investment, no jobs and no raw material independence. In a world, in which Europe seeks to secure its own access to critical raw materials, Bulgaria cannot afford to fall behind. It is time to make geology and mineral resources a national strategic priority, not on topic, dominated by fears and misinformation.