Macedonia is to begin work on a Catalogue of Mineral Resources and a map of geological surveys - a document meant to establish more precisely what natural resources the country has and what their economic potential is. The initiative is part of the cooperation between the Ministry of Energy, Mining and Mineral Resources and the "Goce Delčev" University in Štip.

The phrase "establish more precisely" is polite. The more accurate translation is: so far we do not know what we have under our feet.

The focus will be on geological surveys, critical minerals, the development of laboratory capacity and the use of modern technology. Particular attention will also go to the Macedonian ruby - the university is to take part in researching, protecting and promoting it.

Science as a condition, not as decoration

Minister Sanja Božinovska said the mineral potential must be scientifically researched and responsibly put to work for economic development.

"We cannot talk about modern mining without science, technology and strong institutions. That is why we are connecting the Ministry with universities and creating the conditions for knowledge to become a driver of development," she said.

The university's rector, Prof. Dr Dejan Mirakovski, pointed out that it has scientific and laboratory capacity that can be put at the service of the state, industry and citizens. There was also talk of jointly applying for European funds - for scientific research, new technologies, environmental protection and the sustainable use of natural resources.

Why this is only happening now

Critical minerals are among the most sought-after raw materials in the world - for batteries, for electronics, for the whole so-called green transition. States that know what they own negotiate. States that do not know, sign.

That is the practical point of a catalogue. When a concession is awarded without a publicly available, independently verified assessment of what a deposit is worth, the state's negotiating position is blind. The concession holder has a geologist, has the data and has an interest. The state has a form.

So this is good news - but only if the catalogue ends up as a public document used when concessions are awarded, rather than as one more expert study sitting in a drawer while the mines carry on under the old model.

Božinovska says investment in research, laboratories, expert staff and technology matters for the country's long-term economic and resource security. There is no arguing with that. The question is how long "long-term" will last - and whether the catalogue will be finished before or after the next big concession.