Skopje, 30 January 2026 (MIA) — The state collected a historically high level of concession fees for mineral resource extraction, with Mden 1,223,455,203 paid by private entities for the right to extract state-owned, underground resources in 2025, the Ministry of Energy, Mining and Mineral Resources said Friday in a press release.

According to the release, 289 concession agreements were signed in 2025, compared to the 342 agreements in 2024, when Mden 561,544,717 was collected. This, the release highlights, is an increase in collection of 218%.

The release credits the success to the ministry's efforts "to improve collection and strengthen control over concessionaires' obligations, including enhanced inspection controls and field checks, sending written warnings and misdemeanor procedures for the late payment of obligations, unilateral termination of 46 contracts with concessionaires that did not fulfill their legal obligations (non-payment, environmental violations, unauthorized field expansion, illegal transfers of concession), entry into force of the new tariff list from Jan. 1, 2025, which increased the amount of concession fees to 100%, as well as better coordination between the ministry and municipalities."

"Increased collection directly contributes to increasing the budgets of the municipalities where the concessionaires operate as well as the state budget," the release said. 

The higher municipal budgets will support local governments' investments in communal infrastructure, energy transition and renewable energy projects as well as environmental protection, it added.

According to the release, the Ministry of Energy, Mining and Mineral Resources remains committed to establishing the highest standards for transparent and fair management of natural resources.

"These results are proof of our determination to strengthen the economic benefits from the mineral resource extraction while ensuring sustainable development and support for local communities," the release said. mr/