Chinese miners have increasingly been working in Serbia’s mining pits, especially after Zijin Mining took over the Bor Mining and Smelting Basin (RTB) in 2018. While wages at Zijin Copper, which manages mines in Bor and Majdanpek, are decent compared to Serbia’s average, they are still low compared to wages in European and global mines, except for those in Africa. Serbia has around 20 mines for coal and non-ferrous metals, with Zijin owning a majority stake in RTB Bor and the Čukaru Peki gold and copper mine.
The worst working conditions are reported at JP PEU Resavica mines, which have not received significant investment in the last 30 years. Miners there, earning as little as 55,000 dinars, face low wages and poor working conditions, leading some to migrate to Zijin mines for better prospects. In contrast, miners at Zijin Copper, particularly those in underground mining, earn an average salary of around 160,000 dinars, with some experienced miners reaching up to 200,000 dinars per month.
At Zijin, local workers mainly staff RTB Bor, but the Čukaru Peki mine employs a significant number of Chinese workers. These workers are housed in barracks within the plant, and their working conditions remain unclear. There is also a growing concern about the rising cost of living in Bor and Majdanpek, as the prices for goods and housing have reached levels similar to Belgrade, affecting miners’ standards of living.
Union leaders, such as Časlav Gavrić, point out that while salaries have increased, they remain far below international standards. Additionally, foreign workers, especially from China and Africa, make up a considerable portion of the workforce at Zijin. Despite salary increases at Zijin Copper, some miners in Serbia still struggle with stagnant wages and lack of motivation due to inflation and low pay.
