Minister of Mining and Energy, Dubravka Đedović Handanović, discussed collaboration and projects in the mining sector, renewable energy, and the connection between educational and scientific institutions of the two countries with the Deputy Minister of Natural Resources of China, Juan Shaoqin, as announced by the ministry today.
“We are very grateful to China for comprehensive political and economic cooperation, as well as the strategic partnership in the mining sector that is yielding excellent results. Since coming to Serbia, until the end of November this year, Zijin Mining has preserved jobs and increased the number of employees to over 7,000, which is of great importance for the entire eastern Serbia,” said Đedović Handanović.
She added that after many years, the smelter in Bor has been reconstructed and expanded, providing increased production, better air quality, improved working conditions, and the development of value chains in Serbia.
She reminded that a few months ago, memorandums of understanding were signed in China with the Zijin Mining Group regarding new investments.
“Thanks to a new investment cycle of up to $3.8 billion, Serbia will rank among the largest copper producers in Europe and the leading gold producers. Zijin Mining will build a 300 MW solar power plant for its needs, ensuring synergy between mining and renewable energy sources and better environmental protection,” said Đedović Handanović.
She also mentioned that the Chinese company Shanghai Fengling Renewables is interested in investing in the production and storage capacity of renewable energy sources (RES) in Serbia, especially green hydrogen, which represents the future of global energy.
She highlighted that this company, along with Zijin, is considering the construction of a hybrid facility, a solar and wind farm that would produce green hydrogen, enabling Zijin to reduce costs.
Investments of about €2 billion are planned for the development and construction of wind farms and solar farms, energy storage for hydrogen production, and hydrogen fuel cell technology, positioning Serbia significantly in Europe as a hydrogen producer and positioning itself as a future exporter of this energy source.
