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University of Zagreb experts to conduct an independent analysis of the magnesium production project in Kupres
Zagreb, 4 November 2025 – More than six months after the Municipal Council of Kupres adopted a resolution instructing the mayor to engage an independent expert body to assess the magnesium production technology and its impact on the environment and local community, no concrete steps have yet been taken. Because the local authorities have not even initiated a procurement process, the investor, BH Magnezij & Minerali, has decided to act independently. At its own expense, it has engaged two of the most relevant faculties of the University of Zagreb: the Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering (RGNF) and the Faculty of Metallurgy in Sisak.
“We decided to bring in expert teams because we firmly believe that a topic as complex as this must be discussed on the basis of facts and professional analyses, rather than rumours, fears or narrow personal interests. We understand the residents of Kupres who are having a hard time dealing with all the information and misinformation to which they have been exposed in recent months, so we have sought out the leading authorities in the region so that the public can get the answers it deserves,” said Jan Wever, director of BH Magnezij & Minerali d.o.o.
Independent analysis of the technology and environmental impact
The expert team from RGNF and the Faculty of Metallurgy, composed of distinguished professors and experts in mining, metallurgy, geology, exploration, mineral resources, hydrogeology, geophysical research and environmental protection, will conduct a comprehensive and independent scientific and professional analysis of the aluminothermic process—the technology proposed for magnesium production in Kupres. In addition, they will examine other alternative technologies, identify their potential impacts on the environment and the community, and assess associated risks and benefits.
The aim of this analysis is to provide an unbiased expert opinion that will serve as a solid basis for a quality, informed public debate. Once the analysis is completed, the report will be made publicly available, and the investor will ensure that it is presented to the interested public both in writing and orally.
“As the Dean of the Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering at the University of Zagreb, I want to emphasise that we do not wish to prejudge any outcomes before a thorough professional analysis has been carried out. We will conduct the analysis conscientiously and responsibly, taking into account only professional and scientific standards, and not taking sides with either the investor or the concerned public. Expertise and knowledge are paramount—that is, impartiality and objectivity are the foundation of our work,” said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vladislav Brkić, dean of the Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering of the University of Zagreb.
Why the University of Zagreb?
The Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering and the Faculty of Metallurgy are not only parts of one of the most prestigious universities in the region, they also have extensive international experience in collaborating with industry and the public sector. Their experts regularly participate in expert evaluations, consultations and assessments of industrial processes in accordance with the highest European environmental standards. Precisely because of their scientific impartiality and applied expertise, these faculties are the most credible partners for assessing the technology and impact of the project.
The expert team conducting the independent analysis of the project comprises:
Dr. Ivica Pavičić, head of the research team and assistant professor at the Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering of the University of Zagreb, works in the field of geology, with a special focus on 3D geological modelling, structural geology and sedimentology, mineral resource exploration and hydrogeological investigations. He has participated in and led numerous national and international projects, including research within the Horizon Europe programme and projects of the Croatian Science Foundation. Notably, he led part of the Danube Middle Course consortium within the Danube Sediment Restoration (DANSER) projects and collaborated on the AGEMERA – Agile Exploration and Geomodelling for European Critical Raw Materialsproject and other scientific projects.
He has many years of international experience in the exploration and prospecting of mineral raw materials, preparation of mining and geological reports, studies and research projects, environmental impact studies, environmental protection projects and groundwater research.
As a licensed geologist with professional exams passed in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, he participates in the preparation of reports on reserves of architectural‑building stone, technical‑building stone and other mineral resources.
He is a full member of the Australian Institute of Geosciences. He is the author and co-author of numerous scientific papers in internationally recognised journals covering topics from mineral resource exploration, hydrothermal system modelling and characterisation of carbonate porosity, particularly dolomite, to environmental protection.
Dr. Vječislav Bohanek, associate professor at the Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering of the University of Zagreb, teaches the course Surface Exploitation at the Faculty. He works in the field of research and application of mineral resource exploitation technologies and assessment of their impact on the environment. As the RGNF representative he participates in commissions for environmental impact assessment of mineral resource exploitation projects. He was involved in drafting the Strategy for the Management of Mineral Resources of the Republic of Croatia and was one of the authors of the Mining and Geological Study of Mineral Resources of Karlovac County.
He is one of the authors of the scientific article “Croatian Critical Mineral Commodity Letters: Magnesium”, which deals with magnesium as a critical metal. He represented the Croatian Academy of Technical Sciences (HATZ) at the Euro-CASE workshop on Critical Raw Materials. He also participates in projects funded by the European Union under the EIT RawMaterials initiative focusing on critical mineral resources.
Dr. Sibila Borojević Šoštarić, professor at the Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering of the University of Zagreb, works in the fields of geochemistry, mineralogy and metallogenesis of mineral resources, with an emphasis on critical raw materials. She actively participates in numerous projects related to mineral resources and their applications, funded within the frameworks of EIT RawMaterials, Horizon 2020, Horizon Europe, the European Regional Development Fund and the Croatian Science Foundation. Her research encompasses field and analytical methods for characterising mineral resources and assessing their potential and environmental impact.
She coordinates TIMREX, an international master’s programme in the field of critical mineral resource exploration, involving five EU universities: University of Miskolc, University of Zagreb – RGNF, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Luleå University of Technology and University of Leoben.
She is a member of the Educational Committee of EIT RawMaterials and the Thematic Innovation Council of the Republic of Croatia for Energy and Sustainable Environment, the coordinator of the University Commission for EIT KIC Raw Materials and a consultant to the European Commission on the potential of Albania’s critical mineral resources.
Dr. Ivo Galić, professor, teaches courses including Mining Project Design, Underground Exploitation, Basics of Design with Computer Programs and Management of Mining Processes at the Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering. He is active in the fields of exploration and exploitation of mineral resources and the rehabilitation of mining works. He has led expert teams and prepared, alone or with collaborators, dozens of projects, reports and environmental impact studies of mining interventions. He was one of the principal experts in drafting and implementing the Strategy for the Management of Mineral Resources of the Republic of Croatia and led the Mining and Geological Study of Mineral Resources of Karlovac County. As the RGNF representative, he has repeatedly served on expert commissions appointed by the competent ministry for environmental protection to assess the impact of mining interventions on the environment. He has published numerous scientific and professional papers in domestic and international journals on the impact of mining on the environment and the rehabilitation and reclamation of open-pit mines.
Dr. Željko Duić has worked at the Department of Geology and Geological Engineering of the Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering of the University of Zagreb since 2000. He is currently employed as a full professor, holding or co-holding six courses at the master’s and doctoral programme in Geological Engineering. He earned his doctorate in 2007 in the field of technical sciences, mining, petroleum and geological engineering. Professor Duić’s professional and scientific interests include the effect of geological features on the identification of hydrogeological parameters, the renewability of groundwater reserves, the quality of groundwater in heterogeneous aquifers with intergranular porosity and in secondary porous media, monitoring and protection of groundwater, and the design and implementation of hydrogeological facilities (structural‑piezometric boreholes and exploratory‑exploitation wells) and groundwater protection. He presents his scientific work in foreign and domestic scientific journals, while his professional work has been presented at numerous international and domestic conferences. He is the author and leader of several dozen professional projects in the fields of hydrogeology and groundwater and environmental protection.
Dr. Jasna Orešković, professor at the Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering, works in the field of geophysical research and is the holder of courses such as Applied Geophysics in the Mining programme and Geophysical Studies of Mineral Resources in the study of Geology of Mineral Resources and the Environment. She has participated in numerous professional projects, serving as project leader in about ten and as a collaborator in another twenty or so studies. These have involved the application of geophysical methods in various areas, including research into solid mineral raw materials, geotechnical, geological and hydrogeological investigations, and have been carried out in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and North Macedonia.
Within these activities, geophysical investigations represent a complementary component to geological and hydrogeological research in assessing environmental impact, with particular emphasis on establishing the existing environmental state and assessing the potential influence of the magnesium plant on groundwater.
Dr. Jakov Baleta, associate professor at the Faculty of Metallurgy of the University of Zagreb within the Department of Mechanical Metallurgy, works in numerical modelling of multiphase flows and combustion, heat and mass transfer and the simulation of high‑temperature industrial processes. He leads or participates in projects and industrial collaborations with a focus on closing material and energy cycles. As work package leader of the ADRION project CiRcular Economy Skills enhanCEment NeTwOrk (CRESCENTO), he worked on developing a study programme that connects industry, academia and the labour sector on the topic of the circular economy. He was a member of the VIRTULAB project – Integrated Laboratory for Primary and Secondary Raw Materials, which aimed to establish equipment and methods for characterising primary and secondary raw materials to expedite the return of materials to production processes. Through the COST Action “SMARTCATs” (Chemistry of Smart Energy Carriers and Technologies) he collaborated on advanced energy vectors with the aim of using process by-products and energy more efficiently, while within the BRISK2 project (Biofuels Research Infrastructure for Sharing Knowledge II) he conducted research into converting biogenic residues and lignocellulosic streams into useful fuels and chemical feedstocks. He is the author of 54 papers indexed in Scopus, with an h‑index of 22 and more than 1,500 citations, and since 2022 has served as associate editor of the journal Cleaner Engineering and Technology (Elsevier). He is a member of professional and scientific associations such as the Adria Section of the Combustion Institute, Adria Innovation Harbour and the Adriatic Aerospace Association.
Dr. Ivan Brnardić, professor at the Faculty of Metallurgy of the University of Zagreb at the Department of Process Metallurgy, obtained his master’s degree and doctorate at the Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology of the University of Zagreb. His areas of work include the design, development, characterisation and application of composites and nanocomposites, industrial ecology through evaluating the possibilities of using waste and by-products from the metallurgical industry. He has undertaken scientific training on several occasions in Slovenia and Italy and has participated as leader or collaborator in eight EU and four domestic projects. He led and successfully completed the infrastructure project Foundry Centre SIMET, funded by the EU Regional Development Fund in the amount of EUR 5.8 million. In collaboration with industry he has worked on projects such as “Project for the Recovery of Fine Fractions and Slag of the Industrial Complex ex. OCMA Spa – Ascoli Piceno – Italy”, “Safety classifications of by-products from metallurgical production under the GHS REV9E 2021 system, with the application of special conditions from the European Commission’s regulations” and others. He has published 37 scientific papers in journals indexed in the Current Contents database, with an h‑index of 16 and over 700 citations. He has been a visiting lecturer at the Faculty of Polymer Technology in Slovenia and the Biotechnical Faculty of the University of Bihać, Bosnia and Herzegovina. At the faculty he teaches courses such as Best Available Techniques for Environmental Protection in Metallurgy, Soil Pollution and Protection, Waste and By-Products of the Metallurgical Industry, Emissions into the Environment from Iron and Steel Metallurgyand others. He has supervised 27 master’s and undergraduate theses and two doctoral dissertations. He serves as the Head of the Department of Process Metallurgy and is a member of the expert council of the university interdisciplinary postgraduate specialist programme in Eco‑engineering and several professional associations.
Fear is not the solution. Facts are.
The magnesium production project in Kupres has sparked loud reactions in part of the public, mainly due to unverified information and false claims that have spread without any professional basis. At BH Magnezij & Minerali d.o.o. they believe that this move lays the foundation for a responsible and well‑founded debate:
“We decided to go in this project after consultations with top world experts. However, we fully understand the need for additional, local expertise. We are open to all advice, recommendations and remarks that the independent experts will present. We are convinced that this analysis will clarify many inaccuracies that have appeared in public and will enable citizens, as well as decision-makers, to form an opinion based on arguments rather than impressions,” concluded Jan Wever.
Photo: Pixsell/ Marko Lukunic
No expansion of the mining area - the Grguljača quarry remains within the existing concession boundaries
The investor denied the misinformation and clarified: the quarry remains invisible from Kupres, as before
Kupres, 26.03.2025 - Incorrect claims have been appearing in the public in recent days about alleged plans to expand the mining area in the Kupres area to an area of 47.5 hectares, which is intentionally or out of ignorance misleading the public.
The mining company that operates the Grguljača quarry, which will supply BH magnezije & minerali d.o.o. with dolomite as a raw material for future production, hereby clearly and decisively denies such information.
The magnesium production project does not imply the expansion of the mining boundaries, outside the already defined concession area.
For the magnesium production project, the investor has never requested, announced or plans to request, the expansion of the exploitation area to 47.5 hectares.
This area is clearly marked in the plans as an exploration area, and as the name suggests, it is planned exclusively for geological analysis and assessment of terrain safety, which is fully in line with responsible business practice and represents a standard procedure in such projects and was completed in 2024, in accordance with the issued permits.
This has nothing to do with mining planning, nor does it imply an expansion of the existing boundaries of the mining zone, and the public is being misled by such interpretations and presentation of plans that the investor has never stated and hereby expressly wishes to deny.
As before, the quarry will not be visible from Kupres, which is undoubtedly visible from the documentation and spatial analyses.
The company BH Magnezij & Minerali continuously and transparently communicates all activities, and a review of official documents clearly defines that the project is taking place exclusively within the existing concession field for which the mining company is approved to carry out.
If any change had occurred that could have an impact on the community or the environment, the investor, and we are sure public authorities, would have informed the public about it in a timely manner.
In a time when social dialogue is necessary, and environmental responsibility is the obligation of all of us, this project is an example of green transition in practice – because it combines environmental protection, new industry and local community development. As the people of Kupreš have seen so far, there is no rush. Every step in the project will be communicated publicly and all questions that arise will be answered.
BH Magnezij & Minerali strongly supports the right of citizens to information and critical thinking, and at the same time we warn about the damage that occurs when untruths are spread and a climate of fear is encouraged. Such an approach does not contribute to either the community or the environment.
We call on all actors – political, media and activist – to act responsibly, informed and grounded, respecting everyone's right to accurate and verified information.
BH Magnezij & Minerali d.o.o. Submits Request to Withdraw the Environmental Impact Study for Amendments While the Project Continues
The study is being withdrawn for procedural reasons to include additional technical updates and align it with the requirements of institutions and the community.
Kupres, 21.01.2025 – BH Magnezij & Minerali d.o.o. has decided to withdraw the Request for Evaluation of the Environmental Impact Study for the magnesium factory construction project in the Municipality of Kupres. This application was initially submitted to the Federal Ministry of Environment and Tourism in early July 2024. The withdrawal is procedural in nature and a result of a broader dialogue with all the interested stakeholders. The adjustment highlights the company's cooperation and commitment to providing comprehensive and accurate information about the magnesium factory project to the citizens of Kupres, relevant institutions, and residents of Bosnia and Herzegovina, ensuring that all outstanding questions are addressed.
The Environmental Impact Study is being revised to include additional insights and respond to feedback from all stakeholders—state institutions, representatives of the Municipality of Kupres, environmental organizations, and the citizens of Kupres. As previously emphasized in communication with all partners, the project aims to build one of the “greenest” magnesium factories in the world, adhering to the highest environmental protection standards, European Union legislation, and its Green Deal agenda. The process involves a physical process for the producing high-quality magnesium metal without the use of chemicals and without causing harm to the natural beauty of the Kupres region or the health of its residents. This will be clearly outlined in the newly supplemented Environmental Impact Study, developed in collaboration with independent experts with extensive experience.
BH Magnezij & Minerali d.o.o. expresses its gratitude to all citizens, experts, and institutions whose suggestions, observations, and comments have contributed to the development of our project. Their insights have helped the company to better understand the needs of the community and professional audiences, ensuring that all requirements of the relevant institutions, the local community, and the environment are met through this process.
From the very beginning BH Magnezij & Mineral has been thriving to make this project one of the most advanced industrial projects currently underway in Bosnia and Herzegovina. With strong support from the European Union, the project will contribute to the future production of critical raw materials in a way that is both sustainable and in harmony with community life and the environment that surrounds it. The company’s objective is to maintain a successful collaboration with the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the local community, working together to achieve economic growth and progress for the Municipality of Kupres and Bosnia-Herzegovina, as well as to protect the environment and further develop tourism and sustainable agriculture in the Kupres region.