Natural resources of Kosovo

The main economic activity in Kosovo is agriculture due to its underdevelopment.[3] 54.23% of the land in Kosovo is qualified to be agricultural land, or 342,400 hectares of its area. However, the formal agricultural sector employs only 3.9% of the people in the workforce.[15] Out of the 54.23% of land which is agricultural land, 15% of it is considered to be agricultural land of good quality, 29% of medium quality agricultural land and the remaining 56% is of poorer quality land.[12]

Forests have a great importance in Kosovo and they are one of the greatest natural resources of Kosovo. They encompass 40.92% of the total land area in Kosovo.[12] Forests in Kosovo are of high importance because they are rich in biodiversity. Kosovo has a total of 464,800 hectares of forests, and another 28,200 hectares of forest land.[15]

Kosovo possess one of the richest flora in the Balkans, although it encompasses only 2.3% of the area in the Balkans.[12] The most important in these regards are the mountains Albanian Alps and the Sharr Mountains. Up to now, approximately 2,500 species of flora have been identified in Kosovo.[12] This high plant diversity in Kosovo represents a valuable natural resource, especially considering its low surface area. However, even with these rich resources, the flora in Kosovo has not been used to the benefit of the economy, not even in the past.

In Kosovo, there are only few natural lakes. Among its artificial lakes are: Radoniq, Gazivoda, Batllava, Përlepnicë and Badovc, which have the following characteristics:

Gazivoda Lake:

• Area of basin: 1,060 km² (410 sq mi)
• Average water flow: 13.5 m³/s
• Total volume of accumulation: 390 m³

Batllava Lake:

• Area of basin: 226 km² (87 sq mi)
• Average water flow: 1.06 m³/s
• Total volume of accumulation: 30 m³

Badovc Lake:

• Area of basin: 103 km² (40 sq mi)
• Average water flow: 1.05 m³/s
• Total volume of accumulation: 26.4 m³

Radoniq Lake

Radoniq Lake:

• Area of basin: 130 km² (50 sq mi)
• Average water flow: 0.16 m³/s
• Total volume of accumulation: 113 m³[17]

From the rivers in Kosovo:

• 50.7% belong to (flow to) the Black Sea, these are: Ibar, Morava e Binçës and Sitnica together with its branches Llapi and Drenica;
• 43.5% to the Adriatic Sea, these are: White Drin and its branches in Deçani, Peje, Prizren, Erenik, Klina, Topluha Plava and Mirusha Waterfalls;
• and 5.8% to the Aegean Sea, these are: Lepenci river and its branch Nerodimka.

The rivers in Kosovo have irregular flows during the year, but they typically have high flows in the Winter season and early Spring. The four main rivers in Kosovo are: White Drin, Lepenci, Morava and Iber. The river White Drin is the longest river in Kosovo with a length of 122 km (76 mi). Below are the length and surface area of the main rivers in Kosovo:[17]

River in Kosovo

Mirusha waterfalls

Kosovo also enjoys rich reserves of thermal and mineral water. Although little attention has been given to these resources, the data collected thus far shows that there are around 30 sources of thermal and mineral water in Kosovo. The main sources of such waters are: "Banja e Pejës", "Banjska" and "Banja e Kllokotit", for which there are also more data since they also operate as "healing thermal baths". Although these sources of water are suitable also for thermal power generation, they are mainly used for healing and recreational purposes. The range of the temperature of these sources of water is between 17 and 54⁰C and the mineralization degree ranges from 2 to 5 g/L. These thermal and mineral water sources in Kosovo have in their composition also hydrocarbons, sulfates, magnesium and calcium.[17] The following table present the physical-chemical characteristics of some thermo-minerals sources in Kosovo:

Fisheries are evident in Kosovo in most of the freshwater sources; however, there is a lack of fisheries management which makes the maintenance of fisheries difficult. The main fish species found in Kosovo are: trout, catfish, luce, perch, roach, sneep etc.[17]

Estimations amount to a worth of over 1 billion dollars of reserves of lead, zinc, silver, manganese, nickel and boron.[20] The reserves of the main mineral resources in Kosovo are calculated to be:

• Lignite: around 13 billion tons
• Lead and zinc: 59 billion tons
• Bauxites: 2.7 billion tons
• Nickel: 13 billion tons
• Magnesium: 4.1 billion tons[18]

A mineral deposit known as Artana is situated at the eastern part of Prishtina, around 18 km from it. Artana is calculated to contain 9 million tons of ore, with an average content of 2.5% Zn (zinc), 2.3% Pb (lead) and 92 ppm Ag (silver). While the three main minerals found in this deposit are lead, zinc and silver, other elements such as cadmium (Cd), bismuth (Bi), gold (Au) etc. are also identified. Lead and zinc are found in Kosovo in the following mines: Stari Trg mine, Crnac mine, Artana mine, Hajvalia, Kizhnica, Badovc etc. Magnesium is found in: Strezovc and Golesh. Limestone mines are: Sharrcem. Chrome is found in Deve. Bauxite is found in Klina.[18] Base metal exports account for a large proportion of total exports, at approximately 63%, and they have continued to increase. From 19 million euros worth of base metal exports in 2004, they increased to 124 million euros in 2008.[4] From 47 million euros in 2007, iron and steel exports increased to 105 million euros in 2008. Following this increase in exports, a decline in demand began by the end of 2008.[4]

Kosovo is rich with lead. The Trepça mining complex alone is estimated to possess deposits of lead at 425,000 tons.[20][21] Lead is produced in Mitrovica, while the mineral reserves for producing lead are found in: Stanterg, Artana, and Kopaonik. These minerals contain rare metals such as: Ag, Au, Bi, Sb, Mn, Cu, Ge, Te, Ta and Se. The reserves are calculated to be worth 41.2 million tons. Lead has a utility coefficient of 95-98% while the production of lead, as it was estimated in 1987 was around 100,000 t of lead per year. The lead produced in Kosovo is utilized in three main industries in Kosovo:

• In Mitrovica, in the Accumulator industry, where 35,000 tons per year are used
• in Peja, in the industrial accumulators, where 12,000 tons per year are used
• in Skenderaj, in the factory for hunting munitions, where 8,500 tons per year were used

While another considerable amount goes to the industries of the former Yugoslavia.[22] The lead concentrate prepared in Mitrovica has the following chemical composition:

• Pb: 73%
• Zn: 0.93%
• Cu: 0.09%
• Fe: 3.10%
• S: 16.4%
• As: 0.14%
• At: 0.18%
• SiO₂: 3.3%
• Ag, Cd, Bi, etc.: 1,425 g/t[22]

Kosovo is also rich in zinc which is also produced in Mitrovica. Trepça complex alone is estimated to contain 415,000 tons of zinc.[20][21] Since the mineral base for zinc is the same as lead, they are usually called lead-zinc minerals. The zinc concentrate is somewhat similar to Lead in components, the chemical structure of zinc produced in Mitrovica is as follows:

• Pb: 0.85%
• Zn: 47.0%
• Fe: 9.12%
• S: 29.52%
• As well as As, Mg, Cd, Ca, Ag, Hg.[22]

About 20,000 tons per year of zinc produced are used in Vushtrri as zinc tin, and about 60,000 tons per year in Gjakovë as zinc in tubes and ropes.

Trepça alone is estimated to contain 800 tons of silver.[20][21] During 1978–1988, not only was lead produced, but also some quantities of silver, gold, cadmium and bismuth. The quantities produced were: 200 tons Ag (silver) per year, 150 tons Bi (bismuth) per year, 120 kg Au (gold) per year, and 300 tons Cd (cadmium) per year. The processing of such metals has also developed in some regions of Kosovo, such as: processing of gold and silver in Prizren, in amounts of approximately 20 kg Au monthly and 1,000 kg Ag monthly, also the production of nickel-cadmium batteries in Prizren, at about 100 tons Cd per year.[22]

Although there are indications of such sources of minerals, investigations are still ongoing and not determined. Up to know, there have been some sources of iron noticed in the areas of: - Petrashticë-Shtime (44% iron and 2.5% Cr₂O₃), Tërstenik (40% iron and 3.5% Cr₂O₃), and Sedllarë (Kamenica, 40% iron).[22] Manganese is usually found accompanying lead and zinc. The regions of Novobërdë, Brod, and Dragash contain manganese resources of economic interest. These reserves contain an average chemical structure of manganese at 22.2% and are estimated to be around 5 million tons.[22] Copper is found in the following locations:

• Pashtrik, at 1.0% copper
• Rahovec, Guri i Kuq, between 1.2 and 2.73% copper
• Rexhanc, Đeneral Janković, concentration undetermined
• and Mountains of Deçani, concentration undetermined.[22]

The use bauxite in Kosovo started in 1966 and it is now found in the Grebnik Mountain,[22] the reserves of which amount to 1.7 million tons of bauxite.[20][21] Apart from the bauxite reserves, 2 tons of alumina are found in four tons of bauxite, from which then aluminum is produced. This means that the Grebnik mountain potentially contains 425,000 tons of aluminum.[21] The chemical structure of bauxite in Kosovo is:

• Al₂O₃: 46 to 52%
• SiO₂: 1 to 4.5%
• Fe₂O₃: 33 to 38%
• TiO₂: 1.8 to 2.7%[22]

The mineral masses of bauxite range from thousands to millions of tons, and 20 to 200m. The newest bauxite reserves which are usable amount to 2.7 million tons (of categories A, B and C1), with another 40 million tons of limestone accompanying them. While no capacity for processing bauxite was created in Kosovo, the bauxite produced is mainly exported to several countries such as Germany, Russia and Romania.[22]

In Kosovo, there are only few chromium sources and they are spread in the regions of Brezovica, Gjakova, Luboten, Rahovec and Golesh. Chromium is extracted in Gjakova from Deva mining. The average chromium chemical structure is 44% Cr₂O₃. Although there are no definite data on the amount of chromium resources in Kosovo, up to 2008 total chromium production was around 102 million tons.[22]

Gold in Kosovo is found accompanying copper, lead, and zinc, as well as some clean reserves in alluvial rivers. Gold is found in the Artana mine where its composition is high and it is in measurable levels. Artana is the source with the highest gold content in Kosovo, where deposits are estimated to be approximately 2,700 kg. Gold is also found in lead and zinc ores with an average content of 0.8 grams per ton. It has been calculated that from 1939 up to 1989, gold production in Kosovo amounted to approximately 11.9 tons.[18]

Kosovo possesses quartz grit (SiO₂) in its eastern, southern and central part. Quartz grit is a high-quality industrial mineral, and is mainly used for construction materials. Its average chemical structure is:

• SiO₂: 95 to 97%
• Al₂O₃: 0.95 to 2.39%
• Fe₂O₃: 0.09 to 0.2%
• CaO: 0.81 to 1.21%[22]

Although there are several areas in Kosovo rich in quartz, research on this mineral is not complete. Reserves are calculated to be around 340,000 m³.[22]

Several locations in Kosovo contain magnesium carbonate (MgCO₃), such as Strezovce and Goleš.[7] The chemical structure of these minerals is:

• MgO: 44.49%
• SiO₂: 2.5 to 6%
• CaO: 0.9 to 5%[22]

Prior to 1990, on average, annual production was 110,000 tons of magnesite, 22,000 tons of sintered magnesia and 10,000 tons of caustic calcined magnesia.[7] In total, around 4.6 million tons of this mineral have been used up to now.[22] Total current reserves are: 2.4 million tons in Magure and another 1.7 million tons in Strezovce.[22]

Argil in Kosovo is found in several locations, such as: Gjakovë, Dardanë, Landovicë, Skënderaj, Klinë, Pejë, Viti, Ferizaj, Pristina and Podujeva.[22] In total, the argil reserves are assessed to be 2 billion tons.[22] The chemical structure of argil, which is used mainly to produce bricks and tiles is:

• SiO₂: 56 to 62%
• Al₂O₃: 12.6 to 15.2%
• MgO: 2.9 to 3.2%
• CaO: 2.3 to 7%[22]

Kosovo also possesses large reserves of kaolin (rocks rich in kaolinite), one of the largest in Kosovo located in Low Karaçeva, to the east Gjilan. This mine in Low Karaçeva has operated since 1965, and up to now, total kaolin reserves used are approximately 372,000 tons.[22] Overall, Kosovo possesses total kaolin reserves of approximately 15 million m³ mainly spread in four fields.[22] Bentonite reserves in Kosovo are assessed to be at a total of 86 million tons, and they are mainly spread in seven mineral fields.[22] Cement reserves in Kosovo are assessed to be at a total of 95 million tons, and they are spread in "Hani i Elezit".[22] Decorative stone, limestone, and grit Kosovo possesses a total of 3 billion tons of marble (black marble, onyx, green marble) and they are mainly found in Deçan and Peja.[22] Limestone reserves are estimated to be around 10 billion tons, while grit found in rivers is estimated to be at 1 billion tons.[22]

Kosovo is mostly rich in lignite and lignite accounts for 97% of electricity generation in Kosovo. Kosovo's reserves of lignite are aligned as fifth in the world, at around 14 Billion tons.[5][7][8][23][24] The lignite in Kosovo is found in three main basins: Kosovo basin, Dukagjin basin and Drenica basin.[6] The Kosovo basin has so far been the main basin used for mining. Lignite exploitation in Kosovo was first recorded in 1922, in the Kosovo basin, when mining began.[6][18] Kosovo Basin has a surface area of 274 km². The Dukagjini basin has a surface area of 49 km². Other basins encompass a surface area of 5.1 km².The lignite in Kosovo is low in sulfur content and has a good lime concentration which means it can absorb sulfur during combustion. Overall, the lignite mines in Kosovo have among the most favorable characteristics in Europe.[7] Average stripping ratio of waste to coal is 1.7m³ to 1, and it is of high quality for electricity generation.[7] The net calorific value of lignite in Kosovo varies between 6.28 and 9.21 MJ/kg, with an average of 7.8 MJ/kg.[7][8] The humidity ranges between 38 and 48%, the ash percentage between 9.84 and 21.32%, and sulfur content between 0.64 and 1.51%.[8] Kosovo has the second largest reserves of exploitable lignite in Europe, only after Germany and Poland.[25] Lignite is the major source of energy in Kosovo and will remain to be so due to its high reserves.

The Kosovo basin has around 12 billion tons of lignite.[26] The coal in the Kosovo basin is of lignite type and its geological age is the Early Pontian P|1. The ratio of coal to waste land in the Kosovo basin is 1:185. It has an average thickness of 45m. The occurrences of coal in this basin range from the surface outcrop to 310 m maximum under the surface level. Lignite in the Kosovo basin is of high quality, the average values for the most important parameters are:

• ETU (lower calorific value): 7,300 kJ/kg
• S (Sulphur) < 1%
• L (moisture): range from 45 to 47%
• H (ash): 18%

The majority of lignite is found in the centre of the Kosovo basin, where the thickness also reaches a maximum of 110m.[26] The Kosovo basin has two excavation points which are active and used for extracting lignite for the thermal power plants in Kosovo, and they have a capacity of 7,000,000 tons per year. Up to 2009 it was reported that around 200 million tons of coal had been exploited, which constitute only 2% of the total reserves of coal in the Kosovo basin. In the southern parts of the Kosovo basin there is the Babuš mine which also has a determined extent of coal reserves, with a surface of 0.5 km² the Babush mine possesses geological reserves of coal of 3.7 million tons. The coal in this mine has the following values of the quality parameters:

• ETU = 7,350 kJ/kg
• S <1%
• L = 40-47 %
• H = 22%

While there is a current approximation of reserves in this mine, explorations are not yet complete and the possibility for wider reserves exists. Based on analysis of the quantity of lignite reserves and the exploitation conditions within the Kosovo Basin, the Ministry of Energy and Mining in Kosovo has classified Zone C or the so-called the "New Mine" as the most suitable for exploitation, together with Zone D of Kosovo basin or the so-called "Dardhishtë" in Albanian. Zone G and I of the Kosovo basin have also been evaluated as very suitable for future exploitation based on their reserve quantity and overburden to coal ratio. These two zones have been evaluated to be of sufficient capacity to enable the construction and running of new power plants. These four zones have been classified as Priority 1 (Zone C and Zone D), and Priority 2 (Zone G and Zone I), while the zones classified under Priority 3 have poor conditions for exploitation, either due to degradation such as Zone E or poor overburden to coal ratio such as Zones F,H, J and K. All of these zones (apart from Zone J) are also limited due to population high densities.[27]

The Dukagjini basin contains three coal series:

• Mio Pliocene series, (before the Pontian age)
• Early Pliocene series (during the Pontian age)
• Late Pliocene series (during the Levantinian age)

The north of the Dukagjini basin is the most productive, in the localities Kline, where the average thickness of coal is 40m. The values of the basic quality parameters in this basin are:

• ETU = 600 to 10,000 kJ/kg
• S = 1.06%
• L = 31 to 69%
• H = 20 to 27%

Explorations in this basin have also not been completed; thus, with further exploration it is anticipated that reserves will increase by two billion tons. The regions of Peja, Gjakova and Prizren remain prospective for further research and exploration.

While the Kosovo basin is located in the east of Kosovo and Dukagjini in the west, the Drenica basin lies in between them with the lowest potential compared to the other two. The Drenica basin consists of two coal-beds: Skenderaj and Drenica. The Skenderaj coal-bed encompasses a surface area of 5.1 km² with an average thickness of coal of 15m. The coal in this basin has an overburden to coal ratio of 1.35 : 1 m³/t. The following are reserves that have been determined in the Skenderaj field:

• Category B: 10,876,546 t
• Category C1: 48,850,608 t
• Category C2: approximately 10,000,000 t
• Total reserves: 69,724,154 t

The values for the quality parameters in this coal field are:

• ETU = 7,300 kJ/kg
• L = 32.46%
• H = 25.60%
• S = 1.58%

The Drenas field has an area of around 3.2 km² and reserves:

• Category C1: around 21 million
• Total reserves of around 90 million.

While the Kosovo and Dukagjini Basin can be exploited for electricity generation, the smaller basin of Drenica cannot be utilised for energy production, although it can be exploited for industrial purposes; thus, it is not of any lower importance. The Drenica Basin consists of two Zones: Zone I (in Skenderaj) and Zone II (in Glogovac). Zone I of the Drenica basin has around 70 million tons of lignite reserves, while Zone II has around 25 million tons in geological reserves. The average caloric value of lignite in both zones is 7,300 kJ/kg, while the estimated average coal width in Zone I is 200 m and in Zone II 10m.[27]