New salaries increase in Sasa Mine – fourth in the past two years
The management team of Sasa Mine has made a decision to increase the salary for all employees, which starts to apply from the January salaries. In the past two years, this is the fourth salary increase in Sasa. With the previous three increases made in 2022 and 2023, salaries at Sasa were increased by more than 25%. With this decision, Sasa managed to overcome the impact of growth of prices and costs of living on the well-being of its employees, which were particularly pronounced during 2022 and the beginning of 2023. The calculations show that since the entry of Central Asia Metals (CAML) in 2017 until today, the salaries in Sasa has increased significantly, with the average salary over 70% higher than the average paid net salary in the country. Before making the final decision for a new salary increase, collaborative meetings were held with officials from your Sasa representative union, where a thorough analysis of all relevant data of the Sasa operations, including data for the growth of prices and costs of living (inflation), was presented and discussed. “Despite the increase in operating costs and the volume of investments, as well as the decline in the prices of lead and zinc in the global markets, as a management team we have made the decision to increase the salaries of all employees again. With this we want to express our appreciation to the employees, for their hard work and dedication in achieving safe and sustainable production, and at the same time we want to further motivate them to continue the good work, to increase efficiency and productivity, to preserve the high level of safety and to successfully complete the implementation of the capital projects that should ensure the maximum working life of Sasa and benefits for all,” Sasa General Director Chris Colbourne said.
The educational part of the Project “OPEN YOUR EYES AND BE CAREFUL! YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN TRAFFIC” has started
A presentation for the students from the primary and secondary school in Makedonska Kamenica, aged 14 to 18, the implementation of the educational component of the local project for raising public awareness and increasing traffic safety has taken place. This is the result of the project run by the SASA Mine, Municipality of Makedonska Kamenica and the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The purpose of such educational presentations, which are carried out by employees from the prevention department at SVR-Shtip (Local police department), is to familiarise the young residents of the local community with the traffic rules and regulations, the behaviour and the measures they should take in order to increase their safety and the safety of all traffic participants. Within the framework of this project, educational workshops will also be held for the Sasa employees. All participants in these educational workshops will receive a leaflet containing the basic rules, tips and recommendations for safe behaviour in traffic. This Project is prompted by the increasing number of traffic accidents that occurred in the past few years in which residents of Makedonska Kamenica, were injured or lost their lives. For more than five years, in the municipality of Makedonska Kamenica, there have been almost two traffic accidents per month and one victim per year registered, on average. The implementation of this Project started on 19. November – the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, with an information campaign under the slogan “Open your eyes and be careful! You are not alone in traffic“. United Nations statistics show that road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death for children and young people aged 5 to 29 worldwide. Globally, more than 1.35 million people die each year in traffic accidents, and more than half of all traffic deaths are pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.
SASA Mine continues its support for the sustainability of the fish stock of Lake Kalimanci
Thanks to the ongoing financial support provided by the Sasa Mine, the Fishermen’s Association – Sports Club „Sharan” purchased additional fish to stock Lake Kalimanci. On this occasion, the lake was stocked with about 2000 kilograms of carp. This activity is part of the multi-year cooperation between Sasa and the “Sharan” association, through which the mine provides financial support intended for the purchase of juvenile fish and the restocking of Lake Kalimanci. Additional financial resources are donated for the purchase of the necessary equipment to carry out the activities of “Sharan”. This cooperation with the fishermen’s association from Makedonska Kamenica is just one part of the activities that the Sasa Mine carry out continuously, intended to support the local community, protect and improve the environment and sustainable development.
“OPEN YOUR EYES AND BE CAREFUL! YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN TRAFFIC” – Project of SASA Mine, Municipality of Makedonska Kamenica and the Ministry of Interior for greater traffic safety
On the occasion of November 19, declared by the United Nations as the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, the Lead and Zinc Mine SASA, in partnership with the Municipality of Makedonska Kamenica and the Ministry of Interior, is launching a project for raising the public awareness and increasing traffic safety. The main motive for starting such a project was the increased number of traffic accidents that occurred in the past few years in which residents of Makedonska Kamenica, including employees and family members of SASA employees, were injured or lost their lives. The whole project consists of three components. The first, whose implementation starts today, is an information campaign that will be carried out in the territory of the municipality of Makedonska Kamenica, including SASA Mine. The purpose of the campaign, which is financed by SASA and will take place under the slogan “Open your eyes and be careful! You are not alone in traffic”, is raising public awareness among the local population and SASA employees for increasing traffic safety. The second component is educational and will consist of a series of workshops that will be conducted by employees of the prevention department at SVR-Shtip (Local police department) and will be intended for students in the primary and secondary schools in Makedonska Kamenica, aged 14 to 18, as well as for SASA employees. The purpose of such educational workshops is to familiarize the young residents of the local community with the traffic rules and regulations, the behavior and the measures they should take in order to achieve greater safety for all traffic participants. Within the third part of the project, new technical solutions will be implemented in the area of traffic signalling on the streets and roads in the territory of the municipality of Makedonska Kamenica, which should contribute to increased safety of all traffic participants. For the implementation of this component, the Municipality, in cooperation with competent institutions, will draft an appropriate technical project that should identify critical points and provide adequate solutions for improving the local traffic infrastructure. Worldwide, 1.35 million people die in traffic accidents every year, and more than half of all victims are pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists. Road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death among children and young people aged 5 to 29 years worldwide. Over the past more than five years, on the territory of the municipality of Makedonska Kamenica, almost two traffic accidents per month and one victim per year are registered on average.
The children from the Kindergarten “Bambi” visited the local office in M.Kamenica
The older groups of the children at the kindergarten “Bambi” visited the local office of Sasa Mine in Makedonska Kamenica. Through this activity, the children had the opportunity to get acquainted with the work of the largest mine in Macedonia about the way in which lead and zinc ore mining is carried out. The children had the opportunity, in an interesting and picturesque way, to learn how to mine and extract lead and zinc – metals without which the modern way of life cannot be imagined – said the teachers of Bambi Kindergarten, after the visit. The impressions of the success story of the SASA mine, created with knowledge, dedicated work and modern machines for the work of SASA employees, can be expressed by children through a coloring book created just for them. There, the children will have the opportunity to travel through the story of the SASA Mine, told through the imagination and drawings of our young and talented citizen, Sofija Sitnovska. The Kindergarten staff would like to thank the people from Sasa for the wonderful welcome and beautiful moments they shared. They point out that a coloring book with motives and illustrations created by young Sophia will be given to all the other children in “Bambi”.
SASA received the national award for the best implemented occupational health and safety system
The lead and zinc mine SASA from Makedonska Kamenica is the highest ranked business entity in this year’s selection of companies with the best implemented system for safety and health at work. This selection was carried out by the Council for Safety and Health at Work, with the support of the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy. SASA won the highest number of points in the evaluation of systems and applied practice for safety and protection at work in companies, which was carried out by a special committee composed of experts in this field and occupational medicine doctors. For its continuous efforts and investments in creating a healthy and safe environment for employees, SASA was presented with an award at the event marking the European Week for Safety and Health at Work. “Safety has been and will remain the primary and highest priority for SASA. We want to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for all our employees, contractors and visitors, and that is why we are constantly and determinedly working towards the common goal of zero lost-time injuries at SASA. We are encouraged by our achievements so far in the area of safety and working conditions. They are the result of the commitment and efforts of all employees, as well as the continuous investments of the company in the application of the highest safety standards in this industry. We expect that by implementing the capital investments in technology and new equipment, as well as in the digitalisation of processes, we will further improve the working conditions and safety of the entire mine,” said the General Director of SASA Christopher Colbourne.
SASA celebrates Miners’ Day with awards for employees and a donation for greater traffic safety
Traditionally, this year too, on the eve of August 28 – Miners’ Day, SASA Mine will provide cash prizes and suitable gifts for its 760-plus employees. In addition, a total of 122 employees, including the best miner in SASA for the past year, as well as those who made a special contribution to occupational safety and health and to the safe and stable production, will receive additional cash prizes, gifts and acknowledgments. Wishing a Happy Miners Day to all SASA employees, as well as to those working in the whole domestic mining industry, the general director of SASA Christopher Colbourne said: “We are proud of all we have done as a team over the past period, particularly in the area of safety and well-being of the employees, who were and will remain our highest priority and constant concern. With great efforts from everyone and the continuous support we receive from Central Asia Metals, SASA will continue on the path of success and sustainable development in the coming period, ensuring the well-being of its employees, supporting the local community and contributing to the prosperity of the country. The new capital projects worth over 40 million dollars, in the implementation of which we are making significant progress, and which will ensure a safe, environmentally responsible, and stable operation of SASA in the coming years, are crucial for such sustainable development.” This year, as part of its continued concern and support for the community, SASA has decided to cancel all internal festivities related to the celebration of Miners Day and to earmark the planned funds for a project to increase traffic safety in the local community. For the conception and realisation of this project in the next period SASA will establish communication and cooperation with competent domestic institutions and organisations in this segment. This decision of the SASA follows the frequent traffic accidents with tragic consequences that have recently occurred in this region of the country. The SASA lead and zinc mine is Macedonia’s largest underground mine. Since November 2017, SASA has been part of Central Asia Metals Plc, an international mining company listed on the London Stock Exchange (AIM: CAML). Since the entry of Central Asia Metals, around 60 million dollars have been invested in SASA in new mining equipment, in modernization and digitalization of technological processes, in safety, standards and working conditions in the mine, as well as in professional development and education of employees. Through its Foundation for the Support of Sustainable Development, SASA invests more than 400,000 dollars every year in various areas important for the lives and prosperity of people and the local community, such as: education, science, environment, health care and vulnerable social groups.
Female employees from SASA participated in the annual race for the promotion of an active lifestyle
Female representatives from the SASA team participated in the 11th edition of the “Avicenna Women’s Race”, which took place in the beginning of April in Skopje. Over 3,000 women participated in this year’s three-kilometer race, which is a record number compared to previous years. The main goal is the promotion of an active lifestyle and its importance for health and vitality. Every year this race is organized in co-operation with the National Association for Help and Support of People with Multiple Sclerosis.
SASA provided New Year’s bonus for employees, gifts for children and socially vulnerable groups
In addition to the support throughout the year, on the eve of the New Year and Christmas holidays, SASA Mine provided complimentary gifts to various groups of citizens in the local community, so that everyone could feel the festive atmosphere. Furthermore, for their efforts and dedicated work during 2022, all SASA employees, in addition to the regular salary, are rewarded with a New Year’s salary supplement and appropriate gifts. Traditionally, on New Year’s Eve, representatives of the management of SASA will visit the employees of the mine, as well as the emergency teams, the fire department and the police in Makedonska Kamenica, who will welcome the New Year at their workplaces, giving them presents. “This is a special time of the year when we all wish to receive a gift and a message with wishes for happiness, good health and success in the new year. That’s why we, as a company, are happy and grateful to have the opportunity to help everyone who is part of this community, especially children and vulnerable families, to feel the joy and magic of the New Year holidays. Of course, we also wanted to reward our employees who showed great dedication in their work and invested a lot of energy in the implementation of our capital investment projects that should ensure the sustainable development of SASA in the years to come. This year also we will be happy to visit and thank the employees of the units, who, even on New Year’s Eve, continue to take care of the safety, health and security of the local community, as well as the employees responsible for maintaining the work process in SASA,” said the General Manager of SASA Chris Colbourne.
Five years since CAML’s entry into SASA – $52 million already invested in sustainable development
Makedonska Kamenica, 15.11.2022 – The SASA mine has celebrated the 5th anniversary of it joining Central Asia Metals (CAML) – a specialised mining company based in London, United Kingdom. North Macedonia’s largest lead and zinc mine was visited by the British Ambassador Matthew Lawson, North Macedonia Chamber of Commerce President Branko Azeski, and Makedonska Kamenica Mayor Dimcho Atanasovski. During the visit, they were acquainted with SASA’s investments so far and the effect and significance for the broader community, as well as the implementation of the new capital project, worth over $25 million, that is to enable SASA’s further sustainable development. “Celebrating this anniversary is very significant to us all. Since becoming part of the Central Asia Metals Group, a new era of overall production modernisation and development started at SASA, benefitting everyone, including the employees, the local economy and the community. The continuous support we have been receiving from CAML, as well as the cooperation with local and national level institutions and other partners, guarantees that we will realise the new capital investments that will enable SASA’s safe, environmentally responsible, and stable operations in the years to come. SASA will be able to continue on the path of success and sustainable development, ensuring the well-being of its employees, supporting the local community and contributing to the country’s overall prosperity,” said the General Director of SASA, Chris Colbourne. Over the past five years, CAML has invested $52 million across all major segments of SASA’s development. A significant portion of these funds have been invested in the purchase of new, state-of-the-art mining equipment and production technology, the digitisation of certain work processes, the occupational safety and protection system, as well as the further improvement of standards and working conditions and professional development and employee welfare. In addition, during this period, more than $1.7 million has been invested in the implementation of various sustainability activities and projects intended to support the local community. “Delighted to visit one of the flagship British investments in North Macedonia at the SASA mine complex, developed in partnership with the local community and bringing skilled jobs to Makedonska Kamenica. UK investment in North Macedonia going from strength to strength,” said British Ambassador Matthew Lawson. The president of the largest business association in the country also joined the 5th anniversary congratulations, emphasising that it is precisely these investments in the mines’ modernisation that would contribute to the continuation of North Macedonia’s long mining tradition. “In the face of global health, energy, and price crises, the consequences of which, no one can predict for certain, investments in sustainable development are the best way to pave a better future. In addition to the modernisation of production, they also enable increased safety and improvement of the working conditions in mining, more effective environmental protection, even greater well-being of the employees and their families, and of course, additional benefits for the country’s overall economic development, which is our common goal,” said the President of the North Macedonia Chambers of Commerce, Branko Azeski. For Makedonska Kamenica Mayor Dimcho Atanasovski, the SASA mine, as the largest economic entity in the municipality, is of great importance for the local economic development and provides social security to a large number of families, which is especially important in the current times of crisis. “That is why responsible companies and investors like SASA and CAML will continue to have the support of our local government in the implementation of their development projects that are yielding long-term benefits for our entire community and beyond,” the Mayor of Makedonska Kamenica stressed.
