Security at mines turns into a hot topic

TIRANA, June 14 – Genc Ruli, Economy Minister, met with representatives of the mining industry in Bulqiza and other local authorities and police following more than a dozen deaths in the last year due to unsafe working conditions in area mines.
Scores of licenses are given to local businesses to mine chromium in the area. However, unsafe working conditions have contributed to the deaths of local residents working to support their families.
The minister acknowledged that higher mineral prices on world markets had not only favored local businesses but also negatively affected its technical security measures in small mines in Bulqiza, Bater, Kraste and Ternove. The area is well known for its chromium reserves, which in 2007 mined and sold 135 million Euros, according to the minister.
The minister said authorities would step up their control to stop any illegal activity or those businesses not offering standard security measures at the working place. The minister also appealed to local residents to be careful while working. (Tirana Times Staff)