Macedonia's first cathode copper was produced Friday by the plant for processing and production of cathode copper in the Radovis-based Bucim mine. The Russian company "Solvej", which manages the mine, has invested 11 million Euros. Vice PM and Minister of Finance attended the start of production.

"The new cathode copper plant will improve Macedonia's production, industry as well as export. Nearly 17 million dollars is going to be the total annual outcome of the plant's production. 65 new jobs have been opened, which speaks volumes about the quality and development of Bucim mine," Stavreski said.

He said investments were the best tools in reducing unemployment, adding that he expected other companies to continue investing. "The decrease of unemployment rate by 0.5% - which has been announced by the State Statistical Office - is moderate but significant because it occurs when the world is hit by a serious economic crisis," the minister stated.

The new facility will produce annually over 2,500 tones of cathode copper as a final product intended for export. Besides economic benefit, the facility will also contribute to environment protection, since it solves the problem of waste waters.