The asphalt base in Bušnje is back in operation

After successfully completing repair works at the end of July, the asphalt base in the village of Bušnje in Pljevlja has restarted production. With this project, as stated in the statement, the Pljevlja Coal Mine (RUP) has further strengthened its construction group and confirmed its commitment to seeing the just transition of northern Montenegro as a development opportunity.

At the end of last year, the company leased an asphalt base from the bankrupt company "Vektra Jakić" for 10,7 million euros per month.

RUP Executive Director, Nemanja Laković, emphasized that the plant overhaul was successful and that the employees of the "Maintenance" Working Unit did a quality job.

"After taking over the plant, our employees carried out a complete overhaul, after which we began trial operation. So far, we have produced around 820 tons of asphalt, and next year we expect to operate at full capacity," said Laković.

He emphasized that the asphalt base in Bušnje will be an important support for the RUP construction group, which is already implementing projects for the Eco Fund, the Municipality of Pljevlja, and other investors.

"In Pljevlja we now have a plant that we can count on when it comes to fast delivery and high-quality asphalt. As part of its strategic development, RUP has also secured a concession for the "Rajčevo brdo" quarry, which ensures a stable supply of raw materials and completes the entire production process. This creates new jobs, accelerates the implementation of projects and increases the company's competitiveness in the market," added Laković.

After taking over the base, RUP formed a repair team that, in cooperation with the equipment manufacturer, carried out a detailed troubleshooting and modernization of the plant. The Manager of the RJ "Maintenance", Dragan Vraneš, explained that a new SCADA system and a fully automated management process were introduced, which significantly improved the efficiency and precision of production.

"After the overhaul, the asphalt plant is now operating at full capacity and can easily produce the quantities of asphalt for which it was designed. We are currently operating at about 95 percent of capacity, which is satisfactory for the city's needs. If the need arises, capacity expansion is also planned," said Vranes.

The asphalt base in Bušnje now has a production capacity of 35 tons of asphalt per hour, while the actual annual production, depending on weather conditions and the construction season, is estimated at between 20.000 and 25.000 tons.