Visit to Spac Mine

On 7 July a group of the Forum participants visited Spac Copper mine operated by Tete Albania.  The group visited two underground mines and a copper-enriching plant.

Spac copper mine (the second-largest copper mine after Munella copper in Albania) has 3.6 million tons geologic reserve with 2.8 million tons (with 0.88% Cu grade) recoverable reserve.

The Spac Deposit was discovered in 1954, with the initial exploration being carried out by Russian geologists up until 1960. Underground development began in 1966. Albanian Government invested in the mine for more than 81.000 meters of drilling, excavation of 140 m deep internal shaft and 12.000 meters of drifting during the communist regime.

The mine was used as a political prison camp from 1966 until 1991, with much of the mine development and production being carried out manually by prison workers.