At the Nikšić Ironworks, there are still 3,600 tons of hazardous waste stored, a remnant from the era of TOS steel production. The factory is required to pay an eco-fee of 25,000 euros each month for this waste.

The ironworks management disputes the obligation to remit the fee for the year 2022, while the Environmental Protection Agency maintains that all actions are in compliance with the law, as reported by eKapija.

The annual eco-fee obligation of 300,000 euros for hazardous waste storage has significantly impacted the budget of the Nikšić Factory. Despite commencing operations in 2023, the factory has been held liable for eco-fee payments for the previous year as well.

There is no uncertainty for the Environmental Protection Agency regarding this matter. The ironworks are mandated to pay the eco-fee for 2022, and the agency has communicated this to them.

“Since the ironworks did not submit a declaration in time, and the solution was issued within the legal timeframe of 15 days, we have upheld the obligation for compensation for the hazardous waste deposit,” stated Milan Vlahović from the Environmental Protection Agency.

The management of the Ironworks has asserted that they filed complaints with both the Agency and the Ministry of Environmental Protection throughout the year.

Svetozar Golubović, the President of the Board of Directors of the company, mentioned that they anticipate either a call or a decision concerning their appeal in the coming days.

“We submitted our appeal over a month ago, so we are expecting some feedback,” Golubović remarked.

The previous owner of the ironworks, the Turkish company TOS Celik, owes 290,000 euros in eco-fees for the same deposited waste. A public invitation has also been issued for the removal of waste from the Nikšić facility. Golubović noted that the expense of waste removal could reach approximately 1.5 million euros.