August 29 (SeeNews) - Macedonian lead and zinc mine Zletovo, which was closed down last autumn upon the launch of bankruptcy procedures, has resumed operations under its new concessionaire - Bulgarian mining and construction company Minstroy, Macedonia's ruling party VMRO-DPMNE said.
The 140 miners have already returned to the mine, VMRO-DPMNE said in a statement, published on Sunday.
In the nearest future the Bulgarian concessionaire will reopen the Toranovo mine as well, VMRO-DPMNE said in a separate statement.
Both mines have been closed since last November, when bankruptcy proceeding were initiated. In April Minstroy signed a concession contract to operate the Zletovo and Toranica mines paying 2 million euro ($2.2 million) for the concession rights. Back then the company promised to return to work all 1,000 miners previously working there. Minstroy said it will invest a further 10 million euro in the mines.
In July Minstroy acquired a majority stake in Zletovo and Toranica mines for 3.5 million euro, even though they were previously estimated at around 7 million euro. The assets were blocked because of the bankruptcy proceedings of the former concessionaire Indian company Indo Minerals.
($=0.8947 euro)