Geomet, part of the Mineco group, is seeking renewal of the environmental permit for mining and gravity processing at the Očekalj and Prgoševo deposits in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Mining at the Olovo lead mine has been suspended since October 2024. Renewal could create a pathway to restarting production, but mining has not resumed.
The application covers both deposits. Olovo’s operation is based on cerussite, a lead carbonate mineral, and uses gravity concentration. That technical profile differs from many sulphide-based lead-zinc mines and gives the permitting process a distinct environmental profile.
Environmental concerns include waste management, water handling and the long-term stability of tailings and processing residues. Objections and unresolved issues also involve water, tailings, historic permits and state-property questions. With mining suspended, the renewal process is more than a routine administrative step.
Olovo is modest in economic scale compared with Vareš, but is considered relevant as a test of whether Bosnia and Herzegovina can provide a predictable restart route for an existing mining asset. Governance pressures affecting mining elsewhere in the country add to the context. A transparent process, clear monitoring conditions and enforceable rehabilitation obligations would improve confidence across the wider mining sector.
The project also relates to Europe’s metals security. Lead is important for batteries, industrial equipment and recycling chains, while European domestic production can reduce exposure to external supply.
The next issues are the final permit conditions, Geomet’s restart plan and whether outstanding land and environmental concerns are resolved before mining resumes.
