All posts by : Kristina

As part of its long-term commitment to sustainable development and care for the local community, Bucim mine organized an inclusive educational and creative workshop dedicated to planting herbs, plant care, environmental education, and collective creation.

The workshop was designed as a space for socialization, learning, connection, and human closeness, intended for persons with intellectual disabilities, with the clear goal of encouraging their active inclusion in the community, strengthening their sense of belonging, and creating a positive, safe, and supportive environment in which every participant is accepted, respected, and valued. Through hands-on work with nature, participants developed new skills, environmental awareness, and a sense of responsibility toward the environment.

Special value was added to the event by the voluntary participation of Bucim employees, as well as the active involvement of high school students from “Kosta Susinov” Secondary School, who together with the participants planted herbs and learned about their use, cultivation, and importance for health and nature. This model of joint participation created genuine interaction, empathy, and trust, building bridges between generations, institutions, and different groups within the community — without barriers, without divisions, and without stigma. This approach sends a clear and strong message that inclusion is not a concept — it is a practice.

Bucim believes that sustainable development is not measured only by economic results, but by its impact on people, dignity, humanity, and the quality of the community.

The workshop represents a clear example of how Bucim transforms its ESG strategy into real practice — through inclusion, volunteering, solidarity, and active support of the community, creating lasting positive impact on people and the local environment.

Statement by Kristina Krsteva, Director of Sustainable Development, Bucim mine: “At Bucim, we believe that every person has value, potential, and the right to a dignified life, and that inclusion is not an obligation for us, but a deep value and an integral part of our corporate identity. This workshop is a message that society becomes stronger when it creates space for all its members, and that a true community is built without margins and exclusion, with respect for diversity and equal value for every person. The event symbolically showed how inclusion grows — with patience, care, togetherness, and love, and the planting of herbs is a metaphor for the society we want to build: a society in which every person has their place, their value, and a real opportunity to grow.”

In the spirit of Christian values, solidarity, and care for the community, Bucim Mine once again – now for the fifth consecutive year – implemented a humanitarian initiative to support socially vulnerable citizens.

On January 5, just ahead of Christmas Eve, 100 food packages were distributed to families from the municipalities of Radovish and Konche, with the aim of ensuring that those who are unable to provide a festive meal on their own could also experience the warmth and dignity of Christmas.

The initiative was carried out in close coordination with the Municipality of Radovish and the Inter-Municipal Center for Social Work in Radovish, which provided the list of families with genuine need. The action was further supported by the volunteers of the Radovish Municipal Organization of the Red Cross, together with employees of Bucim Mine, whose commitment and humanity played a key role in its successful realization.

“This initiative arose from a sincere human need—to ensure that no one is left without a festive table on Christmas Eve. As a company that invests long-term in sustainable development, we believe that caring for the community is just as important as any production result. This humanitarian tradition will continue in the future, because solidarity is the foundation of a sustainable community,” said Kristina Krsteva, Director of Sustainable Development at Bucim Mine.

Bucim extends its sincere gratitude to all employees who participated in the initiative, as well as to the institutions and Red Cross volunteers who, through their dedication and compassion, ensured that this effort reached those who needed it most.

Through this humanitarian activity, Bucim Mine once again confirms its commitment to the local community – not only as an economic driver, but also as a responsible and humane partner, guided by the belief that the true value of the holidays lies in sharing, care, and hope.

Christ is Born!

At a time when the holiday season reminds us of true values – togetherness, solidarity, and human care – Bucim Mineonce again implemented a New Year initiative focused on children and the wider community.

On the occasion of the New Year, the mine distributed a total of 1,200 New Year gift packages, intended for employees’ children, persons with intellectual disabilities, all children attending kindergartens in the Municipality of Radoviš and the Municipality of Konče, children and youth from local sports and martial arts clubs, as well as participants in the traditional holiday event Badnik Procession, the New Year program “Meeting with Santa Claus” organized by the Municipality of Radoviš, the Red Cross – Radoviš, and other local associations and organizations.

Through this activity, Bucim once again confirms its long-term commitment to responsible and sustainable operations, investing in values that go beyond business activities and create lasting positive value for the community.

“Children’s joy and sincere smiles are the purest expression of the holiday spirit. Caring for children and supporting vulnerable groups reflects the values we uphold as a company and as part of this community,” said Kristina Krsteva, Deputy Managing Director for Sustainable Development.

Deputy Managing Director Ivica Karapetrov emphasized that social responsibility is a core element of the company’s corporate culture: “Bucim is an inseparable part of the community in which it operates. Our responsibility is not only economic, but also human – to contribute to well-being, equal opportunities, and holidays filled with joy for all.”

Bucim Mine will continue to implement socially responsible initiatives in the future, with a focus on supporting children, social inclusion, and sustainable development, guided by the principles of responsible corporate governance and care for people.

Happy New Year and Merry Christmas! 

As part of its corporate social responsibility commitments and continuous care for employees and their families, Bucim Mine organized a pre-New Year celebration for employees’ children on 21 December 2025.

The event brought together 110 children and their parents and was designed as a festive, educational, and humanitarian activity, with a clear objective to strengthen a sense of belonging, togetherness, and solidarity, while fostering positive values among the youngest participants.

The programme was tailored to the children’s age groups and included a children’s theatre performance titled “Where Is Santa Claus?”, as well as interactive activities that actively engaged the children. A special segment of the event was the humanitarian toy donation initiative, through which children were encouraged to share and develop empathy and a sense of social responsibility. The collected toys will be donated to the Red Cross – Radovish and distributed to children from socially vulnerable families.

This initiative delivers a dual impact — on one hand, it creates a joyful and safe holiday experience for employees’ children, and on the other, it contributes to fostering a culture of solidarity and active participation in socially responsible activities from an early age.

Through activities such as this, Bucim reaffirms its commitment to building a positive and supportive working environment, where family values and care for people are an integral part of the company’s corporate culture. At the same time, by involving children directly in humanitarian activities, the company contributes to the development of social awareness, empathy, and a strong sense of solidarity among the youngest generations.

Caring for our employees does not end at the workplace — it also extends to their families. Through initiatives like this, we create a positive and supportive environment while encouraging children to develop values such as solidarity, sharing, and togetherness. This is an integral part of Bucim’s approach to the way we operate,” said Aldana Lorovski Ristovski, Deputy Head of the Human Resources Department.

With this initiative, Bucim once again confirms its commitment to actively contributing to positive social values within the local community.

Radovish, 9 December 2025 – The administrative procedure for the merger of the Borov Dol mining-geological complex into Bucim has been completed, officially integrating the two mining complexes into a single legal entity. This consolidation strengthens the unified operational and management model, contributing to even greater efficiency and transparency across the company’s operations.

This development represents a strategic step that enables more effective planning and resource management, improved processes and a clearer corporate structure, enhanced alignment with international standards and ESG principles, increased transparency and operational stability, as well as the pursuit of a unified long-term development vision for the entire complex.

The merger does not entail any changes in the management structure. Likewise, the terms of existing partnerships, contractual relationships, and obligations with suppliers, institutions, and other stakeholders remain unchanged.

In recent days, the standard administrative procedure for the technical transfer of all employees into the unified legal entity was carried out. The transfer was completed smoothly, without any changes to employees’ positions, rights, or obligations. Employee status and all associated benefits remain unchanged. The technical transfer did not affect work processes or the regular execution of duties.

“Integrating Borov Dol into Bucim allows us to operate as a single system within our Group, with strengthened operations and a higher degree of coordination. This is an important step toward modernization, continuous improvement, and the further advancement of sustainable mining in the region,” stated Ivica Karapetrov, Deputy General Director of Bucim.

With the new integrated structure, Bucim continues to build a stable, modern, and competitive company, prepared for long-term challenges and future investment plans.

As part of the company’s commitment to improving employee health and wellbeing, the Company implemented this year’s “Movember” initiative – a global movement aimed at raising awareness of men’s physical and mental health.

On 26 November 2025, a professionally moderated panel discussion was held, dedicated to topics related to men’s mental health, the importance of preventive medical check-ups, the most common health risks, and the need to reduce stigma when addressing health-related issues. Medical and psychological experts took part in the discussion, while employees had the opportunity to ask questions and engage in conversations on topics that are often less openly discussed in a workplace or public setting. The event once again highlighted the importance of regular screening and early identification of potential health risks.

In cooperation with the Radovish Public Health Institution, the Company provided free and confidential PSA tumor marker testing for all male employees over the age of 45. The examinations were organized to take place from 26 November until the end of November 2025, in full respect of the principles of voluntariness, medical confidentiality, and without disrupting the regular work process.

Additional activities aimed at increasing awareness of men’s health were also organized within the initiative, including: an anonymous survey designed to identify the topics, questions, and health-related concerns employees wished to address during the panel discussion; a symbolic “support day” marked by female colleagues; and the distribution of symbolic gifts to male employees. The activities were aimed at encouraging open conversations about health habits, strengthening the culture of mutual support, and emphasizing the importance of prevention as part of personal health care.

Aldana Lorovski-Ristovska, Deputy Head of Human Resources, emphasized that such initiatives are meaningful as they place the human aspect of the working environment at the centre of organizational culture. “Establishing a workplace where employees feel free to talk about their health and have access to timely information and support is essential for their overall wellbeing. The activities carried out under ‘Movember 2025’ reinforce our culture of openness and mutual support, contributing to an environment where everyone feels heard and valued.”

Kristina Krsteva, Deputy Managing Director for Sustainable Development, highlighted the importance of integrating such programmes within the Company’s wider ESG approach: “Employee care is a key element of the social component of the ESG framework and represents the foundation of stable and responsible operations.

The mine is taking concrete steps to support the physical and mental health of its employees, fostering a working environment that places safety and humanity at the heart of everyday operations.”As in previous years, the Company remains committed to programmes and measures that support the physical and mental health of its employees. The results of the survey and the recommendations from the panel discussion will be taken into account when planning activities for 2026, with the aim of further enhancing Bucim’s corporate practices for employee health and wellbeing

As part of its long-term commitment to supporting education and encouraging young people’s interest in natural and technical sciences, DPTU Bucim DOOEL Radoviš once again opened its doors to pupils from the Primary School “Kiril and Metodij” from the village of Oraovica.

The pupils took part in an educational visit to the chemical laboratory within the Leaching production unit, where they had the opportunity to observe the modern process of producing cathode copper, learn about analytical procedures and quality control, and explore the application of chemistry in industrial processes.

The visit was organized as part of the school curriculum in Chemistry and Natural Sciences. As part of the program, representatives of the mine delivered a brief presentation on the history, significance, and contribution of Bucim to the development of the local community, followed by a practical demonstration of laboratory analyses and measurements.

This activity is part of Bucim’s ongoing program of educational visits, initiated when the company opened its doors to visitors with a clear mission – to bring the mining industry closer to young generations, demonstrate the practical value of science, and inspire interest in engineering, technological, and natural science disciplines. Through such visits, the company actively builds a bridge between education and industry, turning mining technology into a living classroom for future researchers, engineers, and scientists.

“The visits of schoolchildren are one of the most rewarding aspects of our work – they bring fresh energy and genuine curiosity. At Bucim, we believe that these young people represent the future of our community, and that is why we wholeheartedly support such educational activities,” said Kristina Krsteva, Deputy Manager for Sustainable Development at Bucim.

By opening the mine to the public and regularly organizing educational visits, Bucim continues to strengthen its role as a socially responsible company that nurtures partnerships with educational institutions and invests in creating motivated, educated, and environmentally conscious generations – the future drivers of regional development.

Commitment to Young Engineers, Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Development

DPTU “Bucim” DOOEL Radovish, for the second consecutive year, continues its support for young engineers and researchers through participation as a gold sponsor of the student conference SKEEOR 2025 – “Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Development”, organized by the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technologies – Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje (FEIT).

This conference represents the largest student platform in the country for the promotion of energy efficiency, innovative green technologies, and practical solutions for a sustainable future. SKEEOR brings together the academic community, future engineers, and industrial partners in a joint mission to raise awareness about renewable energy sources, the circular economy, and the energy transition.

The 13th edition of the conference was held from October 28 to 31, 2025, and covered the most current topics in modern energy: renewable energy sources, smart electrical grids, digitalization and automation, e-mobility, the application of artificial intelligence, and the circular economy. The event created a bridge between academia and industry, enabling students to present their scientific papers and exchange ideas with representatives from leading companies and institutions. Thus, SKEEOR reaffirms itself as a platform where innovation, engineering solutions, and responsible ideas for the future are born.

Within the framework of the conference, a presentation was delivered by Vlasto Sotimenovski, Chief Energy Engineer at Bucim, who presented the company’s activities and results in the field of energy optimization, the application of sustainable technologies, and the integration of ESG principles in mining.

“Conferences such as SKEEOR create a strong connection between academia and industry – this is where ideas are born that later turn into real, applicable solutions. The energy transition cannot be achieved without young, skilled, and motivated professionals who understand the importance of integrating technology, efficiency, and sustainability into every production process,” said Vlasto Stoimenovski, Chief Energy Engineer at Bucim.

He added that Bucim continuously invests in the modernization of processes, the implementation of energy-efficient systems, and the reduction of CO₂ emissions, thereby transforming mining into a responsible, technologically advanced, and environmentally conscious sector.

Bucim’s presence at SKEEOR is part of the company’s broader corporate strategy for the integration of ESG principles – environmental protection, social responsibility, and good corporate governance. Through continuous cooperation with the academic community, the company encourages the development of young professionals and builds partnerships that connect knowledge, innovation, and practical application.

“Bucim sees sustainability not only as part of its corporate strategy but also as a shared responsibility toward society and future generations. The support of SKEEOR is a confirmation of our commitment to invest in young people, in knowledge, and in innovations that will shape the country’s energy future,” said Kristina Krsteva, Deputy General Manager for Sustainable Development at Bucim.

The support of SKEEOR and other academic initiatives represents part of Bucim’s commitment to investing in human capital, technological development, and the green economy. The company remains dedicated to responsible mining, the application of innovative technologies, and strengthening the ties between industry and education

At the sixteenth Professional Conference with International Participation “Podeks–Poveks ’25,” held over the weekend and bringing together the most influential figures from the mining and geological sectors, special attention was drawn to the panel discussion titled “The Path Toward Sustainable Development in Mining.”

The panel featured Ivica Karapetrov, Deputy General Manager of the copper mine Bucim, Prof. Dr. Zoran Panov, and Andrej Kepeski, Manager for Quarry Operations and Mineral Resource Development at Cementarnica Usje. The discussion centered on the vision for a new era of mining – one in which technology, responsibility, and people stand side by side.

Ivica Karapetrov: “Sustainable mining is a business ideology, not just a document”
“I would start by defining what sustainable mining is. I would define it as responsible, rational, and profitable exploitation of mineral resources with minimal impact on the environment, while keeping in mind future generations. This is not about documents – it’s about a business ideology, an ideology of decision-making and leadership. Can sustainability and profitability go hand in hand? They can – and they must. But it takes time. It requires a shift in mindset – among professionals, management, middle leadership, and every employee. This change must be initiated by top management and then implemented throughout all levels of the company. It is a long-term but patient process – one that demands continuity, commitment, and a genuine willingness to change habits and approaches to work. We are talking about profitable and rational mining. If it is not profitable, it will shut down – that is the reality of business. However, sustainability does not begin and end with the mines. It must also include contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, workers, and the local community. Responsibility is shared – we should not point fingers only at the mines, because sustainable development is built collectively, through cooperation, understanding, and joint commitment. Only in this way can we all be part of the solution, not part of the problem.”

In his presentation, Karapetrov emphasized that traditional mining can never be fully sustainable, but it can become more regenerative – by creating new value in every stage of operation, from land reclamation and water reuse to long-term community care. A key topic raised during the discussion was the shortage of qualified workforce and the need to invest in education and motivate young people to join the industry. Karapetrov highlighted that Bucim positions itself as a socially responsible employer, actively investing in human capital development through student scholarships, dual education programs with universities, employment of young engineers, and support for educational initiatives in local communities.

The conference, attended by the Minister of Energy, Mining and Mineral Resources, served as an excellent platform for exchange of experiences between the mining sector and academia, and for discussing current challenges while shaping the vision for the future of the industry.

With great energy, team spirit, and a positive atmosphere, our colleagues proudly represented DPTU “Bucim” DOOEL Radovish at the largest sports event in the country, which this weekend turned Skopje into a true marathon city.

Five Bucim employees participated in the 5 km race, while another four competed in the relay marathon (42 km). In strong corporate competition, the Bucim team achieved an impressive 8th place, once again proving that perseverance, discipline, and teamwork are values we share not only in our daily work but also beyond it.

“We are proud of our team, who represented Bucim with great enthusiasm and unity at the Wizz Air Skopje Marathon. This participation is not only a sporting success but also a reflection of our corporate culture — showing that when we work and act together, we can achieve great results. Such activities are part of our continuous commitment to promoting a healthy and active lifestyle, team spirit, and mutual support,” said Miroslav Petrov, Head of the Human Resources Department at Bucim.

Through this participation, Bucim once again reaffirmed its dedication to promoting healthy values, sportsmanship, and unity — all integral parts of the company’s corporate culture.

Congratulations to our team – we are proud of you!