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.
