March 5, 2026

Two Villages Planned for Relocation

Požarevac – Due to EPS's long-term plans to expand the Kostolac coal basin to the 'Zapadni Kostolac' lignite deposit, where reserves for surface exploitation have been identified until 2060, activities continue towards this goal, although it is not definitively confirmed. As 'Politika' wrote in July last year, this project involves the relocation of several villages, which was presented publicly at the time. Specifically, planned mining activities would affect parts of the settlements Dubravica, Batovac, Petka, Ostrovo, and Brežane. More precisely, Dubravica would be entirely encompassed by the future surface mine, necessitating the relocation of the entire village, while the settlement of Batovac would be situated on the edge of the mine and exposed to indirect impacts of mining activities. Parts of Petka would also be partially affected, with indirect impacts on Ostrovo and Brežane.