This spring, Montenegro’s coal mine will begin construction on a new building, primarily intended for the company’s employees. The announcement was made by the mine’s executive director, Nemanja Laković.
Laković explained that they have already submitted a request to build on the site of a former mine workshop, which he considers one of the most attractive locations in Pljevlja. The existing workshop will be relocated to the reclaimed area of the Potrlica Surface Mine.
He highlighted that the company allocates significant funds annually to address housing issues for its employees, and will now focus more on construction, with part of the funds also set aside for payouts. “Given the data on the outflow of population from Pljevlja, we have considered specific steps to prevent this trend. The alarming data showing that out of 165 housing loans for employees of the Pljevlja thermal power plant, 163 were realized outside the municipality, clearly shows that people are leaving our town. This is why we’ve decided to build a representative building in Pljevlja. The construction will also boost the mine’s construction team, creating more stable jobs for our employees. The project will take two to three years, and the benefits will be numerous,” said Laković.
The location for the new building is just five minutes from the city center, near the Stražica park. It is part of a broader recovery plan for Pljevlja, which includes the construction of three buildings coordinated with the government and the municipality. The mine will carry out the construction on its own.
“On this mine plot, there are urban and technical conditions to build a building with 21,000 square meters, including 242 apartments and 21 commercial spaces. These new buildings will improve the quality of life in Pljevlja,” Laković said.
The planned buildings will have mixed residential and commercial purposes, with separate entrances. The ground floors are designated for business and commercial use.
The mine has already requested the necessary urban and technical conditions, and once they receive approval, they will submit the documentation for a building permit. Laković expressed confidence that all permits would be obtained by the end of the year, with construction beginning in spring.
In addition to the residential project, another part of the recovery plan includes the development of a business-tourism complex on a section of the reclaimed mine area, near the main road to Podgorica.
“This area is highly attractive for investment, especially with the significant tourist traffic on the road from Serbia to the Montenegrin coast. We have already spoken with potential investors who are very interested in this location,” Laković noted.
The business-tourism complex will cover thousands of square meters. The first phase of the project, spanning 8,260 square meters, will include modern retail spaces, cafes and restaurants. The second phase, covering 6,400 square meters, will add amenities such as a cinema, children’s play areas, a national cuisine restaurant and ample parking, totaling 523 spaces for cars and 9 for buses. The project is expected to create about 200 new jobs, significantly benefiting both the local community and tourists.
The complex will be surrounded by green spaces, providing a peaceful oasis for visitors.
