The financial indicators of the SASA mine show a worrying trend of falling profit over the last three years.

The profit of 17.5 million euros in 2023 fell to 13.9 million euros in 2024, and in 2025 amounts to just 4.2 million euros.

Results like these point to serious pressure on the mine's operations, regardless of whether the causes are lower metal prices, increased production costs, poorer ore or reduced output.

SASA is the largest employer in Makedonska Kamenica and one of the biggest lead and zinc mines in the region. For that reason the continuous decline in profit raises questions for future investments, the modernization of production and the long-term stability of jobs.

In November 2025 the employees were offered the option of mutual-consent contracts (consensual dismissal), and the responsible officials from SASA stated: „This is not a process of mass dismissal, but a controlled, structured and fair process of organizational optimization carried out with full respect for the people and the legal procedures."

Such a trend indicates that the mine operates in considerably harder conditions than in the previous period, and the first consequences are usually felt by the employees through cost-cutting measures and optimization of the workforce.

It is worth bearing in mind that Sonja Stamenkova, the mayor of Makedonska Kamenica, stated: Makedonska Kamenica is seeking a way and building a sustainable and developmental strategy for the municipality even after the SASA Mine. Whenever it comes, the risk will arrive, and we must not walk into it unprepared.

For that reason the Government, the Ministry of Energy, Mining and Mineral Resources, as well as the SASA management, should publicly present their plans for the future development of the mine and take concrete measures to secure the stability of production and preserve the jobs.