Едукативен проект на Рудник САСА за запознавање на најмладите со природните вредности и нивната заштита
Sasa Mine, in collaboration with a group of independent authors, has published a book for the youngest members of the community aimed at introducing them to the natural beauties of their surroundings. The goal of the book “Jasmina exploring the Osogovo Mountains – A story of acquainting, knowing and protecting natural values,” is to enrich children’s literature in the Macedonian language, focused on nature exploration and contributing to raising awareness about the importance of preserving the environment. The book, primarily intended for children and students up to fifth grade, serves as an educational ecological text. Through an authentic narrative style, it guides readers through the natural features of the surroundings of Sasa Mine and the Osogovo Mountains, showcasing their natural beauty and biodiversity. The book also includes guidelines for safe navigation and appropriate behaviour in nature. Additionally, it describes the symbiosis between mining and nature, which has existed in this region for centuries, as well as the efforts undertaken by Sasa Mine to maintain this balance. The text of the book was written by biologist and educator Kiril Arsovski-Przho, and the illustrations were created by the young award-winning illustrator Sofija Sitnovska. Expressing gratitude to the entire team that worked on this educational project, Maria Stojanovska, the head of the Environmental Department at Sasa Mine, stated: “The idea for this project arose from the fact that awareness and love for natural beauty begin to develop from an early age. That is why we at Sasa Mine dedicated significant attention and effort to creating this beautifully illustrated book, which we believe children will love. We aim for it to enhance their knowledge about the nature that surrounds and sustains them while serving as a guide for how to treat it responsibly.” The majority of the copies of the book will be distributed by Sasa Mine to the municipal primary school, the kindergarten, and municipal and city libraries throughout the eastern region, as well as in other parts of the country. Copies of the book will also be delivered to the day centre for people with special needs in Makedonska Kamenica. This educational publication is yet another socially responsible initiative undertaken by Sasa Mine as part of its long-term strategy for sustainable development and community prosperity. Makedonska Kamenica, 27 January 2024
Министерката за енергетика, рударство и минерални суровини го посети рудникот Саса
The Minister of Energy, Mining and Minerals, Sanja Bozhinovska visited Sasa, the country’s largest underground lead and zinc mine. During her meeting with representatives of the Sasa management team, Minister Bozhinovska was briefed on the operations of Sasa, its investments in sustainable development, and the mine’s significance and contribution to the prosperity of the local community. During her visit to Sasa, Minister Bozhinovska also toured the underground mining areas and the new facilities, which are part of a series of significant capital investments designed to transform Sasa and ensure stable operations in the coming years. “Sasa Mine is an important part of the economic structure of our country. Supporting these projects is key to sustainable development and improving the living conditions of the local community. As a minister, my goal is to support mining practices that are sustainable and safe and to highlight the importance of innovation in mining. With the support of modern technologies, we aim to create mining that is both safe and sustainable,” stated Minister of Energy, Mining, and Minerals, Sanja Bozhinovska. To date, total investments in the capital projects, as well as the acquisition of modern mining equipment, digitalisation of technical processes, improvements in safety standards and working conditions in the mine, and professional development and education of employees, have amounted to $80 million. Sasa’s General Manager, Christopher Colbournе, said: “This visit by Minister Bozhinovska, who oversees an exceptionally important sector, holds special significance for us at Sasa. It is part of our overall communication and cooperation with official institutions at the central and local levels, which is vital for Sasa’s continued success and should be carried out in a fair and transparent manner. This will enable us to implement our investment plans and projects for safe, environmentally responsible and stable operation of Sasa in the years to come. In this way, Sasa will be able to continue on its path of success in the future, ensuring the well-being of its employees and their families, supporting the local community and contributing to the overall prosperity of the country.” The Sasa lead and zinc mine is the largest underground mine in North Macedonia, directly employing approximately 770 people, most of whom are residents of the local community. Since November 2017, Sasa has been part of Central Asia Metals, an international mining company quoted on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange (AIM: CAML). In its operations, Sasa implements the best international industrial practices and standards for quality management, environmental protection, and occupational health and safety. Over the past six years, Sasa’s successful operations have enabled the mine to pay over $85 million in various taxes, supporting national and municipal development, and improving the quality of life for people across the country. Additionally, through its Foundation for sustainable development, Sasa annually invests additional funds in the local community, supporting education, science, environmental protection, healthcare, sports and vulnerable social groups. Makedonska Kamenica, 25 January 2025
Рудник САСА и за овие празници ја продолжи традиција на поддршка за локалната заедница и своите вработени
In addition to its year-round support Sasa mine has undertaken several activities ahead of the New Year and Christmas holidays to reward its employees and contribute to spread holiday cheer throughout the local community. This year, all Sasa employees received a New Year bonus and appropriate gifts as a token of gratitude for their dedicated work throughout the year and their contribution to the company’s success. More than 600 New Year gift packages were distributed to children from the local kindergarten and the “Cyril and Methodius” primary school in Makedonska Kamenica. Additionally, donations of food packages and other essential items were provided to 227 socially vulnerable families in the local community, as well as support for the users of the Day Center for persons with disabilities in Makedonska Kamenica. Continuing a valued tradition, representatives from Sasa’s management team will visit the on-duty teams in local emergency medical service, the fire brigade, the police, and Sasa employees working on New Year’s Eve. During these visits, they will extend holiday greetings and deliver appropriate gifts in appreciation of their service. “These activities reflect our on-going commitment to the well-being of the community and our employees. We aim to share the joy of the holiday season with everyone, as we believe in the importance of support and solidarity,” said representatives from Sasa mine. Earlier this year, the mine donated a modern LED lighting system to the sports hall of the primary school in Makedonska Kamenica, which is also used by several local sports clubs. This donation is part of Sasa’s continued efforts to enhance local sports infrastructure and support the development of young athletic talent in the local community. Makedonska Kamenica, December 30, 2024
Рудник Саса ги избра најдобрите цртежи од годинешниот ликовен конкурс за деца
We are delighted to announce that this year’s children’s art drawing competition, organized by Sasa Mine received an impressive 129 drawings from 121 talented children from the Municipality of Makedonska Kamenica, as well as children of Sasa employees. The competition was open to all children aged 5 to 15, inviting them to creatively depict Sasa Mine and its significance to people, families and the local community. A panel of external experts, independent from Sasa Mine, carefully selected the 24 best drawings. These artworks will feature in the official Sasa Mine 2025 calendar and be showcased at other appropriate events. All participants will receive a certificate of appreciation and a drawing set, while the creators of the top drawings will also receive monetary prizes. Now in its third consecutive year, this initiative aims to encourage and support creativity and talent among young people while strengthening the bond between Sasa Mine and the local community. We are incredibly proud of all the participants and deeply grateful for their effort and enthusiasm. Sasa Mine remains committed to continue to organize similar activities in the future as part of our commitment to supporting young generations and contributing to the development of our community.
Рудникот Саса ќе работи со надлежните институции за да покаже дека не е одговорен за угинување на риби во езерото Калиманци
Following published information in the public related to the occurrence of dead fish in Lake Kalimantci on August 6 this year, the Sasa mine is prepared to submit all facts and data to the competent institutions throughout possible further procedure to determine the true cause of previous mentioned phenomenon. We emphasize that the occurrence of dead fish in Lake Kalimanci could result from various potential causes unrelated to the current operations of the Sasa mine. In Sasa mine, both regular and extraordinary inspections are carried out by competent state institutions. During these inspections, it has been confirmed that the Sasa mine operates in accordance with its A integrated environmental permit.
Отворен повик за учество на ликовен конкурс за деца 2024
For the third consecutive year, the SASA Mine announces a public call for participation in a children’s art drawing competition. The theme for drawings this year is the operation of the mine and its significance for people, families and the local community. All children aged between 5 and 15, who live in the municipality of Makedonska Kamenica, or with parents employed at Sasa, are eligible for the competition. Artworks should be submitted no later than November 22, 2024 to the Office for Communication with the Community of SASA Mine (28 “Rudarska” Street, Makedonska Kamenica). SASA employees may submit their children’s work to the Personnel Office. The following information should be written on the back of the drawing: name and surname of the child; name and surname of the parent/guardian; date of birth of the child; residential address and contact telephone number. By submitting their drawing, the child and their parent/guardian automatically give permission for it to be used by SASA. No later than mid-December, a special external committee, made up of independent, non-SASA staff members, will select the best drawings that committee members believe best represent the SASA mine and its contribution to people and the community. Each winner will be awarded with 3,000 denars. The winning artwork will feature in the 2025 SASA calendar and in other communications.
Еко-акција „Рециклирај и добивај“ на рудник САСА
More than 16,000 plastic bottles and cans were collected during the “Recycle and Win” eco-campaign organised by the Environmental Department at SASA Mine ahead of Miners’ Day. The funds raised from recycling the plastic bottles and cans collected by the local community, supplemented by contributions from SASA Mine and its employees, were donated to the Special Needs Daycare in Makedonska Kamenica, adding a charitable aspect to the campaign. The local population, especially the youngest members of the community, participated enthusiastically in the “Recycle and Win” campaign. On the day of the event, they brought a large number of plastic bottles and cans and received appropriate gifts in return. The collected materials were recycled through SASA Mine’s vending machines, and the funds generated from the recycling process, which were doubled by a donation from SASA Mine’s management, were used to purchase supplies for the Special Needs Daycare in Makedonska Kamenica. Additionally, a number of SASA Mine employees supported the eco-campaign with voluntary individual donations. These contributions helped purchase new armchairs, tables and shelves for the Special Needs Daycare in Makedonska Kamenica, further improving the conditions for those who live there and require care. “We are extremely pleased with the success of this eco-action campaign. Its implementation allowed us to achieve several goals that SASA Mine and its employees are committed to, including raising environmental awareness and providing support for people in the community, especially those most in need. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who participated and supported the eco-campaign, demonstrating both high environmental awareness and, care for the members of our community who rely on the services of the Special Needs Daycare in Makedonska Kamenica,” said Marija Stojanovska, Head of the Environmental Department at SASA Mine. This eco-campaign, with its humanitarian aspect, is one of many socially responsible activities continuously organised by SASA Mine, contributing to both environmental protection and the prosperity of the local community.
Донации и награди за вработените за Денот на рударите од Рудник САСА
On August 28, with a series of activities and donations, SASA Mine celebrates Macedonian Miners’ Day, together with Makedonska Kamenica’s double holiday. Each year, SASA has traditionally awarded all of its 770-plus employees with cash prizes and suitable gifts. Special recognition was given to Aleksandar Stoimirov, named the best miner for 2024 alongside 121 of his colleagues who have made significant contributions to safe and stable production, received additional prizes and acknowledgments. In its ongoing commitment to community well-being, SASA has announced and implemented several donation projects during the celebration. Notable, the mine has advanced the third part of the project aimed at raising public awareness and enhancing traffic safety, which SASA is implementing in partnership with the Municipality of Makedonska Kamenica and the Ministry of Interior. This phase includes the installation of new traffic signs, pedestrian crossing markings, and other technical solutions on several streets in Makedonska Kamenica with the aim of improving safety for all road users. The Municipality developed an appropriate technical plan for the project identifying critical areas for infrastructure improvements. Additionally, as part of the educational messaging of the project, conducted under the motto “Open Your Eyes and Be Smart! You Are Not Alone in Traffic” SASA supported the Local Prevention Department’s distribution of educational brochures to drivers, emphasizing important safety rules and tips for greater safety for all traffic participants. The second donation project supported by SASA during this period is the renovation of the interior of the kindergarten in Makedonska Kamenica. The infant room in the kindergarten has been completely renovated, and new lockers, wardrobes, tables, chairs and other necessary furniture has been purchased, significantly enhancing the environment for the children. In its ongoing efforts to promote environmental sustainability, SASA Mine announced a donation of a vending machine for recycling plastic bottles and cans as part of the celebrations. The vending machine will be donated to the municipal utility company “Kamena Reka,” which will determine its location. After its installation, residents and visitors of Makedonska Kamenica will be able to deposit used plastic bottles and cans, receiving “green points” in return, which can be redeemed for various benefits. Similar machines are already operational at the mine site. As part of the Miners’ Day celebrations, SASA Mine also marked the official commissioning of a new digital radiography machine at the Health Station in Makedonska Kamenica. The donated equipment worth over 80,000 euros, is a state-of-the-art medical device and represents a significant advancement in medical technology, offering precise X-ray imaging and diagnostics to enhance healthcare services for the local community.
Еко-акција „Рециклирај и добивај“ на рудник САСА
On the eve of Miners’ Day, on August 26, 2024 (Monday), starting at 9:00 a.m., an eco-action “Recycle and Get” will be held in the organization of SASA Mine. The event will be held in front of the SASA Mine Office in Makedonska Kamenica (located opposite the “Bambi” Kindergarten), where a stand will be set up where all those interested can bring empty plastic bottles and/or cans and in return receive convenient prizes and that: All the collected empty bottles and cans in this eco-action will be recycled in vending machines, and the points obtained will be donated to the Day Center for people with special needs in Makedonska Kamenica. At the same time, the bottles and cans should not be crushed and the label should not be removed from them, so that they can be recycled in the vending machines. The action will last until the moment when the anticipated prizes, which are in limited quantities, are used up, and the prizes will be distributed according to the principle 1 person = 1 prize. We invite you to massively support the action, keeping in mind its goal and humane character.
Рудник САСА и оваа година обезбеди значителна финансиска поддршка за спортските клубови во Македонска Каменица
As a socially responsible company, Sasa Mine invests in the sustainable development and prosperity of the local community year on year. The improvement of sports is one of the areas that the company focuses on and therefore invests in. In the past two years, the company has invested in the implementation of innovative new mining methods that will ensure the maximum working life of the mine. There is a continuous increase in operational costs that are important for maintaining the safe, productive and environmentally responsible operation at Sasa, as well as the increased investments in maintaining the high degree of social security and well-being of the employees. Despite that, Sasa Mine decided to allocate significant funds as direct financial support for the functioning and development of local sports clubs in Makedonska Kamenica again this year. In accordance with the adopted financial plans of Sasa and CAML Group for 2024, the men’s and women’s football and basketball clubs in Makedonska Kamenica have been approved and will be awarded similar support as was given in 2023, which was a record year of support from Sasa since it reopened in 2006. Beside in sports, the Sasa Foundation invests every year as support for the local community in areas such as: education, science, environmental protection, health care and vulnerable social groups. Approximately half of the mentioned financial support for the men’s and women’s football and basketball local sports clubs is intended for the development of the youth categories, as the Sasa Mine would like to encourage as many children and young people as possible in the local community to get involved in sports activities and to recognise and develop their talent. Data shows that, since Sasa joined the CAML Group in November 2017, investments in the development of local sports clubs have increased many times compared to that prior to 2017. In order to guarantee the transparency of this process, over the past two days, representatives of the Sasa management team have held a joint meeting with the representatives of the local sports clubs mentioned previously, at which they presented all the relevant data and the way in which this year’s financial support for each of the clubs was allocated. An additional meeting was also held with the mayor of the municipality of Makedonska Kamenica, to acknowledge the fact that the municipality also allocates funds in the local budget for the development of sports and supports the clubs. „On this occasion too, we once again confirmed our determination to continue the support for the development of local sports and young talents in the future, but at the same time we asked the management teams of the clubs, who manage them independently, to properly and above all responsibly manage the allocated funds, so that they are used to achieve the real goals for which they are intended. The focus of support from Sasa Mine is the youth categories and greater representation of players from the local community in the senior teams of the clubs,” stated the Sasa general Manager, Chris Colbourne.
