MINERAL RESOURCES ALBANIA
MINERAL RESOURCES ALBANIA
Albania is a country rich in mineral resources. Mineral exploration, exploitation and processing
constitute a key component of the Albanian economy, due to a traditional mining industry, that has been
a solid foundation to the country economic sector, generating substantial revenues. Chrome, copper,
iron-nickel and coal, are some of the minerals mined and treated in Albania.
Mining industry development in Albania has passed through three main stages:
The first stage includes the period up to the end of World War II, marked by two important events. In
1922, has been compiled the first Geological Map of Albania, which was even the first of its kind in the
Balkans. In 1929 has been approved the first Mining Law of the Albanian Kingdom, which paved the
way to the exploration and/or exploitation of mineral resources in Albania;
The second stage (1944-1994), marks the period when the mining activity has been organized in
state-owned enterprises and the concept of mining privatization did not exist.
The third stage includes the period 1994 up to date. It began the mining’s privatization, after the
approval of Albanian Mining Law.
