Ane Lashkoska: Industrial emissions law effective September 2027, no postponement
The deputy minister warned there will be no postponement and promised stronger oversight of mining and industrial operators under the environmental legislation.
The Law on Control of Industrial Emissions will enter into force in September 2027 and authorities will not grant any postponements, Deputy Minister of Environment and Spatial Planning Ane Lashkoska said during the panel "Mining, development and environment" at the professional conference PODEKS–POVEKS in Ohrid.
Compliance, permits and monitoring
Lashkoska explained that mining and other industrial operators covered by the law must align their activities with the environmental requirements through permit conditions, application of the best available techniques and continuous emissions monitoring. She added that the Ministry's recent meetings with owners and managers show the companies are well aware of the new legal obligations.
According to Lashkoska, the concrete adjustments companies will need depend on each firm's activity and technology and may include investments in production processes and pollution-control equipment.
On enforcement, Lashkoska promised tougher oversight of mining and industrial entities under the Law on Environment, stressing the role of public information and participation.
"In this legislation there is an obligation for transparent public information, inclusion of the public in policy making, and monitoring and inspection oversight are also very important. What I can promise is even stronger oversight in the coming period," she said.
The panel also featured Toni Tonevski, mayor of Probištip and former mine director, who argued that maintaining an active concessionaire that invests in the local community is essential for economic development. He emphasised that rebuilding trust requires openness and responsibility from investors, companies, institutions and local residents.
"We can restore trust if all of us — investors, those working in the mining sector, institutions, the local community — work transparently, openly and address problems seriously. We must not hide or push problems aside; instead we should responsibly and transparently explain the entire process to citizens," Tonevski said.
Photo: press material from the event
