The relocation of the Ćehotina River has entered its final stage, with construction progressing rapidly due to the strategic importance of the project for Montenegro’s entire energy system. The deadline for completion was shortened from 18 to just seven months, prompting the mobilization of all necessary resources, according to Nemanja Laković, Executive Director of the Pljevlja Coal Mine.
Valued at €16 million (excluding VAT), the project is being carried out by a consortium of experienced contractors. Work officially began on April 25, 2025. The relocation is necessary to allow for the expansion of the coal mine, as the excavation front is approaching the riverbed. Both the mine and the Pljevlja Thermal Power Plant depend on this project, which the Montenegrin Government declared a matter of public interest in July 2024.
The project is divided into three phases. The mine company has already excavated a new riverbed 2,300 meters long and five meters deep using its own machinery, saving nearly €4 million. About 18% of total works have been completed so far, including reinforced concrete works in the first phase and preparation for geocomposite and geomembrane installation in the second. The third phase, handled by the coal mine itself, includes retaining walls, 65% of which are completed.
Work is being carried out in three shifts to ensure the project finishes in parallel with the ongoing ecological reconstruction of the Pljevlja thermal plant by the end of the construction season. Adjustments and technical challenges are being resolved in real-time through consultations with project supervisors.
Laković stressed that the river relocation is not only vital for coal production and power generation, but also for future urban development. The area vacated by the river and mining operations will be repurposed into a business-tourism zone, with talks already underway with potential investors.
Although the need to relocate the Ćehotina River was identified years ago, work was delayed due to the lack of proper permits until 2024. Upon taking over the company in April 2024, the new management secured the necessary approvals and fast-tracked the project.
Safety remains the top priority. A recent landslide in the Potrlica surface mine nearly injured a worker, highlighting the urgency of moving the river. Laković confirmed that risk assessments are ongoing and emphasized that the primary focus remains on worker safety, timely completion of the project, and secure coal supply for national energy stability.
