Italy’s Enel Eyes Montenegro’s Pljevlja Power Plant, Rudnik Uglja Coal Mine - Media

“We were visited by Enel representatives. The management of the mine briefed them on the current state of the company [...]. They have visited the thermal power station and today they plan to assess the potential of Maoca [coal deposit],” the Vijesti daily (www.vijesti.cg.yu) reported on Thursday, quoting coal mine director Vuk Rocen.

The Montenegrin government has not decided yet whether to open a new tender for its 31% stake in Rudnik Uglja, the daily added.

Podgorica-based Alfa Invest was the biggest private stakeholder in the coal mine with 12.8% in late 2008, according to the latest data available on the coal mine's website (www.rupv.me).

According to the public invitation issued in December 2005 for the privatisation of the thermal power plant, the government owns 31.1% of its shares while private shareholders account for the balance.

A tender for the privatisation of TE Pljevlja and Rudnik Uglja launched in 2005 was cancelled two years later by the country's Privatisation Council in compliance with a government decision.