AmCham Macedonia Fall 2018 (Issue 59) | Page 14

COVER STORY Fall 2018 / Issue 59 Safe and Responsible Growth in Partnership with the Local Community T he geology of the eastern side of Macedonia is part of the Tethyan belt, a globally recognised zone of prospec- tivity and even within this the geology that has formed the Ilovica-Shtuka copper-gold deposit is very rare and has not been proven elsewhere in Patrick Forward, Chief Operating the country. Officer, Euromax Resources The fertile valley and the natural mineral deposit of Ilovica Shtuka are important natural resources that with safe and responsible development can help the area develop and become an example to all for dynamic growth from mankind’s two oldest industries – farming and mining. Euromax Resources is a minerals development company, publicaly listed in Canada on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Since May 2012, with the appointment of the new manage- ment team, Euromax has directed its corporate strategy on the development of the Ilovica-Shtuka copper project located in the municipalities of Bosilovo and Novo Selo in southeastern Macedonia. Supported by worldwide proven investors such as Euro- pean Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Trafigura, Euromax Resources has developed a proj- ect that meets the highest environmental standards, deter- mined to prove that modern methods of mining can coexist with agriculture. The experience shows that mining has enhanced the local economy and peoples’ lives. Like other businesses, well designed and run mines are not dangerous or polluting nor do they threaten other businesses. 14 AmCham Macedonia Magazine There are many ways to control whether a mine is well built and operated: Understand the local environment and conditions Use the best local and International expertise to carry out the designs Apply sound design and operation criteria with respect to the environment Monitor all aspects of the operation Continually communicate with other stakeholders Allow independent monitoring of the construction and operation Attract responsible investors who will independently verify design, construction and operation and inde- pendently check compliance with recognised interna- tional regulations Comply with all national regulations and laws Using best available technology which ensures there is no negative impact on health and environment whilst improving overall living standards. Mining is a strong economic driver, it has a strong devel- opment component for the countries where it is located, and is followed by a major modernization in the mining process. Ilovica-Shtuka Project conforms with International Best Practice industry standards and modern technologies used in Europe, the US and Canada