For decades, mining played a crucial role in Albania’s industrial and economic development. Chromium, copper, nickel, and other minerals positioned the country as a strategic supplier during the socialist era and beyond. However, the environmental cost of this legacy has become increasingly visible. Across Albania, dozens of mining areas that were intensively exploited in the past are now inactive, abandoned, and environmentally hazardous.
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| In one of the mines in northeastern Albania |
In its National Strategy for the Development of the Mining Sector 2026–2040, the Albanian government openly acknowledges a major challenge: the urgent rehabilitation of former mining zones to improve environmental safety and protect public health. This recognition marks an important shift toward transparency and long-term planning, especially in regions where pollution continues to threaten land, water, and nearby communities.
The Most Affected Mining Regions in Albania
According to the strategy document released for public consultation, environmental degradation caused by historic mining activities is particularly severe in several regions, including:
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Bulqizë – chromium mining residues and contaminated water
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Rubik – copper processing waste and tailings dams
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Kukës and Has – abandoned mining deposits
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Korçë, Ersekë, Rehovë, and Pogradec – soil and groundwater pollution
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Munellë, Mamëz, Kurbnesh, Mëzez, and Memaliaj – unstable waste deposits and acid drainage
These areas share a common problem: mining activities were conducted for decades without modern environmental standards. As a result, large volumes of sterile material, tailings dams, and acid mine drainage contaminated with heavy metals remain exposed to the environment.
Environmental and Public Health Risks
The risks posed by these abandoned mining sites are not theoretical—they are ongoing and cumulative. The strategy highlights several critical dangers:
- Soil contamination with heavy metals
- Pollution of groundwater and surface water
- Acid mine drainage, especially during rainfall
- Structural instability of tailings dams
- Absence of early warning systems for floods or collapses
Many historical processing plants and waste deposits continue to exist without regular monitoring, certified emergency plans, or adequate safety infrastructure. This situation endangers not only ecosystems but also thousands of residents living near former industrial zones.
The €100 Million Price Tag: A Strategic National Priority
Referring to a detailed assessment by the World Bank, the Albanian government admits that the cost of full rehabilitation of these regions may exceed €100 million. The high figure reflects not only the scale of environmental damage but also the fact that many mines were closed without following European best practices.
The strategy explicitly states that:
- Mine closures were often not carried out according to EU standards
- Environmental restoration was partial or entirely absent
- Long-term monitoring systems were never established
As a result, rehabilitation is now considered a strategic national priority for 2026–2040, rather than a marginal environmental issue.
Alignment with the EU Green Agenda
Rehabilitation of abandoned mining areas is not just a domestic obligation—it is also linked to Albania’s broader European integration path. The strategy positions mine rehabilitation as a key component of:
- The Green Agenda for the Western Balkans
- Albania’s National Strategy on Climate Change and Sustainable Growth 2023–2030
- Alignment with EU environmental legislation
In particular, Albania has partially implemented Directive 2006/21/EC on the management of waste from extractive industries. While legal and institutional efforts have been made, the document admits that enforcement remains incomplete and uneven.
Institutional and Legal Gaps Still Persist
Despite previous reforms, significant gaps remain:
- Insufficient inspection capacity
- Weak inter-institutional coordination
- Limited funding for monitoring and enforcement
- Lack of certified emergency and risk management plans
Many mining waste facilities still operate—or remain exposed—without early warning systems, flood protection measures, or structural risk assessments. This institutional fragility increases the likelihood of environmental accidents with serious social consequences.
Why Rehabilitation Matters for Albanians
For Albanian citizens, this issue goes beyond environmental policy—it directly affects quality of life, health, and economic opportunity. Polluted land cannot be used for agriculture. Contaminated water sources increase healthcare costs. Unsafe industrial legacies discourage tourism and sustainable investment.
Proper rehabilitation can instead:
- Restore land for agriculture and local development
- Improve public health outcomes
- Reduce long-term state liabilities
- Create green jobs in remediation and monitoring
- Strengthen Albania’s EU credibility
Conclusion: From Industrial Past to Sustainable Future
Albania’s acknowledgment of its mining-related environmental legacy is a critical step forward. By recognizing the scale of the problem, estimating realistic costs, and placing rehabilitation at the center of national strategy, the country signals a commitment to sustainability and European standards.
The challenge is immense, but so is the opportunity. If addressed seriously between 2026 and 2040, the rehabilitation of abandoned mining zones can transform some of Albania’s most damaged regions into safer, cleaner, and more productive spaces—turning an industrial burden into a foundation for sustainable growth.