State-controlled coal producer Rudnik uglja Pljevlja has started commercial operations at a leased asphalt plant in Bušnje, establishing a new business activity as the local economy prepares for a gradual transition away from coal. The company leased the facility from the bankruptcy administration for €10.7 million. Commercial production began, following trial operations and equipment repairs carried out during the previous year. The plant has produced approximately 3,500 tonnes of asphalt, including around 2,000 tonnes since May. Depending on asphalt type, thickness and related costs, selling prices range from €83.35 to €93.06 per tonne, excluding VAT.
Most of the production has been used for Rudnik uglja’s own requirements, while the plant has also supplied third-party projects. These include road construction in Kalušići and paving works at several locations in Pljevlja. Rudnik uglja has not disclosed operating revenue, expenses, utilisation rates or profitability for the facility. The company expects to publish its first complete financial results for the operation at the end of 2026. At the maximum quoted selling price of €93.06 per tonne, 3,500 tonnes would correspond to theoretical gross revenue of approximately €326,000, before VAT and assuming the entire output had been sold to external customers.
Because a significant portion of production has been used internally, the company’s asphalt output cannot be assessed solely through conventional external sales revenue comparisons. The plant forms part of an effort to preserve employment and establish a new business activity in Pljevlja as the local economy prepares for reduced reliance on coal.
