Strengthening community readiness through emergency drills 

In 2025, Sasa completed the first live test of its new alarm system, activating all eight sirens across the local area in Makedonska Kamenica, North Macedonia. Ahead of the test, Sasa proactively notified nearby residents, schools and community groups to ensure they were aware of the planned activation and accompanying alarm sound.

The exercise was planned in co-operation with the police, fire and ambulance services to ensure seamless collaboration. The live alarm test took place alongside a wider emergency preparedness exercise led by the Municipal Crisis Headquarters of Makedonska Kamenica and in co-operation with the Crisis Management Centre (CMC) in Delchevo and Skopje. Representatives from local schools and colleges, and key community members also took part. This joint simulation focused on emergency preparedness and warnings in the case of a natural disaster, including potential flooding, soil erosion and artificial embankment failure along the Kamenica River, helping to strengthen co-ordination between local authorities and the mine.

Sasa also conducted an internal drill to assess the readiness of employees and, in particular, the mine rescue team, in the event of a TSF incident. The exercise was successful, demonstrating the strong procedural awareness and effective response capabilities across the workforce. Later in the year, Sasa welcomed the new Director of the CMC and the Ambassador of Lithuania and briefed them on Sasa’s investments in sustainable development and the mine’s long-standing contribution to regional prosperity. These combined initiatives enhanced Sasa’s emergency preparedness, reinforcing co-operation with local institutions, and demonstrating the mine’s continued commitment to safety, resilience and community partnership.

Total emergency preparedness and response training hours at Kounrad and Sasa in 2025: 709

Practical emergency preparedness and response training hours at Kounrad and Sasa in 2025: 496

Theoretical emergency preparedness and response training hours at Kounrad and Sasa in 2025: 213