Through a series of activities and donations aimed at supporting the local community, Sasa Mine today (12 June 2026) marks an important milestone – 20 years since the restart of the mine. The activities and donations implemented as part of the anniversary celebrations are yet another confirmation of Sasa Mine’s long-term commitment to the development, well-being and prosperity of the community and the country in which it operates.
As part of the celebrations marking the 20th anniversary of the restart, 20 new trees will be planted in the “Mladost” Park in Makedonska Kamenica, a park that was previously developed with the support of Sasa Mine. A drone, together with specialised training for its use, was donated to the Territorial Firefighting Unit of Makedonska Kamenica to support the early detection of forest fires and fires in difficult-to-access areas. In addition, complete sports kits, including jerseys and shorts, were provided for all youth categories of the three local sports clubs. Donations were also made in the form of new books for the local library, metal storage cabinets for the Day Care Centre for People with Disabilities, cabinets for the cultural and artistic society “Vera Jocikj”, and computers for the local secondary school. Additional donations have also been agreed for the kindergarten and primary school in Makedonska Kamenica, based on their identified needs.
“Today’s anniversary is not only an opportunity to reflect on an important chapter in the history of Sasa Mine, but also to thank the people and the community who have been, and continue to be, part of our story. The mine and the community have always been closely linked, sharing both challenges and successes. That is why, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the restart, we wanted to demonstrate through tangible support and activities that our commitment to the local community remains strong and long-term. We are proud of everything that has been achieved over the past two decades and remain focused on safe, responsible and sustainable operations for the benefit of our employees, their families and the wider community,” said James Karamatic, General Director of Sasa Mine.
The 20th anniversary carries strong symbolism. Following the closure of the mine in 2003, Makedonska Kamenica and the wider region experienced three difficult years marked by uncertainty, job losses and serious concerns about the future of the local community. The restart of Sasa on 12 June 2006 marked the beginning of a new period of hope and development.
In the years that followed, and particularly after the international mining group Central Asia Metals (CAML) acquired Sasa in 2017, the mine underwent significant transformation and modernisation. During this period, more than US$100 million has been invested in modern equipment, new technologies, mine development, safety improvements, environmental protection and employee development. Major capital projects have also been completed as part of this investment, enabling Sasa to become one of the most modern mines in the region today.
At the same time, over the past several years, Sasa Mine has directly invested significant funds in supporting people and developing the local community. Through the Sasa Foundation, as well as through numerous corporate social responsibility initiatives, a large number of projects have been supported in the fields of education, healthcare, social welfare, sports, culture, environmental protection, entrepreneurship and local economic development.
This year carries additional significance for Sasa Mine, as alongside the 20th anniversary of the restart, November will also mark 60 years since the mine’s official start of operations. Throughout these six decades, Sasa has played a key role in the economic and social development of Makedonska Kamenica, the eastern region and the country. Today, it is a modern mining operation, working in accordance with the highest international standards of safety, responsibility and sustainability.
Makedonska Kamenica, 12 June 2026
