In less than three months of trial operation, the asphalt base in the village of Bušnje in Pljevlja produced 305 tons of asphalt, as confirmed to "Vijesti" from the Pljevlja Coal Mine (RUP). This practically completes the test period of the plant, which, after a successfully completed overhaul, is technically completely ready to operate at full capacity.
This facility, which Rudnik uglja leased from the bankrupt company “Vektra Jakić” at the end of last year, serves the purpose of modernizing and diversifying the company's business. The lease agreement was signed by the executive director of Rudnik uglja Pljevlja Nemanja Laković and bankruptcy administrator of the company "Vektra Jakić" Dejan Keković.
The facility has been leased for a period of 14 months, with a monthly rent of EUR 10.747. The asphalt plant's capacity is 35 tons per hour, which means that depending on the construction season and weather conditions, annual production will reach between 20.000 and 25.000 tons.
The asphalt base in the village of Bušnje was built in 1984 for the needs of the then municipal company and its production capacity was sufficient for the needs of the city. Later, it operated as part of the former company “Građevinar”, which was bought by the Podgorica company “Vektra”, a businessman Dragan Brković.
Until 2009, it worked without major problems.
"Trial production at the asphalt base plant in Bušnje began at the end of July this year. After the completion of the overhaul works, the plant is technically sound and ready for asphalt production at full capacity. In parallel with the overhaul, preparations were made to purchase the necessary raw materials and train professional staff to work at the plant. The process of additional product certification is underway, which will ensure that we exit the trial regime of the asphalt base plant," the Coal Mine responded to "Vijesti".
When asked where they delivered the produced asphalt, the Mine responded that they delivered part of it for asphalting purposes in the territory of the Žabljak municipality, while the remaining part was used for internal projects of the Coal Mine, primarily for the construction of a road along the new bed of the Ćehotina River, which will play an important role in local infrastructure.
No contract for full-scale delivery has been signed yet, but it is expected that upon completion of the product certification process, the plant will quickly move from trial to commercial operation. The company's strategic plans also include the purchase of an asphalt plant, once the legal requirements are met.
"In order to prepare the plant for operation, around 30.000 euros have been invested so far for overhaul work. The amount of money spent on overhaul and starting production will be deducted from the amount of the asphalt base rental fee. We would like to remind you that at the end of last year, Rudnik uglja leased the asphalt base facility from 'Vektra Jakić' in bankruptcy. By starting asphalt production, the implementation of the Just Transition Plan through the business transformation of RUP has continued, which enables the improvement of the dynamics of project implementation in Pljevlja and the creation of new real jobs. Nine employees are currently engaged to work on the asphalt base facility," they said in Rudnik uglja.
For Pljevlja, this investment has added value because the local government will no longer have to purchase asphalt from other cities, where the price with transportation was twice as high.
President of the Municipality of Pljevlja Dario Vranes He previously said that opening an asphalt base in Pljevlja would make it easier for them to procure asphalt and speed up the work of paving rural and urban roads.
The municipality currently purchases asphalt in Podgorica or other places in the surrounding area, at twice the price due to high transportation costs.
He also points out that asphalt loses quality by the time it is delivered to Pljevlja due to the great distance from where it is transported.
The mayor also says that the local government intends to purchase asphalt paving machines, a paver and rollers, which would significantly reduce the costs of asphalting municipal roads.
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