Miners in Kosovo break Ramadan fast 800 metres underground, 20 March 2024

...Kosovo is a Muslim-majority country and hundreds of miners in the state-owned lead, zinc and silver mine are observing Ramadan, sometimes enduring temperatures close to 40 degrees Celsius and extreme humidity.

"Fasting is not an issue for us but a lack of clean air, modern equipment, clothes and shoes are a big problem," said shift chief Fehmi Hajredini.

Trepca employed more than 22,000 workers in the 1970s and 80s and accounted for two thirds of Kosovo's gross domestic product (GDP). Now it employs just 3,000 in the mines and other facilities.

Low mineral prices and dwindling production means the company cannot cover operational costs and is seeking government subsidies.

In the city of Mitrovica, a short distance from the mine, Bashkim Kurti, CEO of Trepca, said he was in talks with the government for a 20 million euro ($21.68 million) loan to improve working conditions and increase production.