Hemosan, an environmental services company based in Montenegro, is set to launch a new processing line in Bar aimed at recovering precious metals such as gold, silver, and platinum from electronic waste. This initiative marks a significant enhancement of the country’s recycling capabilities, which have been limited until now.
The facility will focus on processing specific types of electrical and electronic waste, particularly printed circuit boards and other components that contain high concentrations of valuable metals. Rather than exporting these materials in their untreated form or allowing them to enter unregulated waste streams, Hemosan plans to mechanically separate and produce concentrated raw materials that can be refined further.
This project represents a notable shift towards urban mining within Montenegro’s industrial sector. By converting obsolete electronics—including computers, telecommunications devices, and household appliances—into usable metal-bearing materials, Hemosan aims to establish a more sustainable recycling process.
The new processing line will involve the preparation, dismantling, and crushing of smaller electronic devices. The operation will separate ferrous and non-ferrous metals as well as non-metallic fractions, directing the metal-rich materials towards precious metal recovery. It is important to note that the output will be a concentrate intended for further refinement rather than immediately marketable bullion; achieving high-purity gold, silver, or platinum typically requires additional processing by specialized operators.
Hemosan’s investment enhances the local value chain by reducing the need for hazardous waste to be exported for treatment. Previously, much of Montenegro’s complex waste was collected and shipped abroad for processing. By establishing domestic pre-processing capabilities, the company aims to lower transportation costs and retain more economic value within the country.
Founded in 1993 in Bar, Hemosan employs approximately 36 people and provides various environmental services including hazardous waste collection and management of electronic waste. The company operates from an environmental center located within the Port of Bar, which offers logistical advantages for collecting electronic waste from across Montenegro and potentially from neighboring regions.
The company has developed partnerships with local authorities and utility companies in cities such as Tivat, Nikšić, Danilovgrad, Žabljak, Mojkovac, and Kolašin to facilitate municipal collection of electronic waste. Estimates suggest that Montenegro generates around 500-600 tonnes of electronic waste annually; however, without a comprehensive tracking system, actual figures may be higher.
Hemosan has previously invested in equipment capable of dismantling electrical appliances at a rate of up to 50 discarded refrigeration units per hour. The new precious metals recovery line expands upon this existing model by shifting focus toward higher-value material recovery.
Printed circuit boards are particularly valuable due to their content of copper along with smaller quantities of gold, silver, palladium, and platinum-group metals. The value of these boards can vary significantly based on the type of original equipment. High-grade electronics typically yield richer metal concentrations compared to lower-cost household appliances.
Effective management of feedstock will be crucial for the economic success of the Bar facility. The financial viability will depend on factors such as the proportion of higher-grade materials received, sorting effectiveness, metal recovery rates, processing costs, and agreements with downstream refiners. Differentiating between mixed household electronics and well-sorted telecommunications boards will be essential.
Traceability is also a critical component. Electronic waste often contains not only recoverable metals but also hazardous substances like lead and mercury. Therefore, mechanical treatment must be accompanied by proper dismantling procedures and safety measures to handle any hazardous residuals effectively.
The environmental implications of this project are significant. Informal methods of recovering materials from electronic waste can lead to toxic pollution and soil contamination. Hemosan has noted ongoing instances of such practices in parts of Montenegro. A licensed industrial operation provides a regulated alternative for managing electronic waste under monitored conditions.
The proposed site for this processing line is strategically located within an established industrial area in Bar, approximately 410 meters from the Port of Bar aquatorium. This location not only enhances containment and emergency response capabilities but also facilitates logistics for transporting separated concentrates to licensed recovery facilities in Europe.
Globally, the demand for efficient electronic waste management is rising sharply. In 2022 alone, approximately 62 million tonnes of electronic waste was generated worldwide; however, only about 22% was formally recycled. Projections estimate that this volume could increase to roughly 82 million tonnes by 2030 due to factors such as shorter product lifecycles and increased consumption patterns.
This growing volume positions electronic waste as an increasingly vital source for secondary metals. Europe’s heavy reliance on imported raw materials underscores the importance of recovering valuable materials from waste to reduce environmental impacts associated with primary extraction processes.
For Montenegro specifically, establishing a robust recycling framework is essential as it has historically faced low recycling rates with large amounts of municipal and industrial waste still being disposed of rather than recovered. Electronic waste presents unique challenges due to its combination of hazardous elements alongside high-value recyclable materials.
Hemosan’s initiative could also bolster adherence to extended producer responsibility regulations that require manufacturers to finance proper disposal processes for their products. With a domestic processor in place, various sectors—including electronics retailers and public institutions—will have clearer pathways for disposing obsolete equipment while maintaining necessary documentation.
As corporate clients increasingly seek comprehensive services beyond simple collection certificates—including data destruction and material traceability—the project may generate additional service opportunities particularly relevant for sectors like banking and telecommunications that frequently update IT equipment.
The investment might also pave the way for regional collaboration in electronic waste management given that Montenegro’s domestic market is relatively small. Efficient utilization of specialized equipment could necessitate sourcing material from neighboring Western Balkan countries while ensuring compliance with hazardous-waste regulations during cross-border shipments.
No specific figures regarding capital expenditure (CAPEX), annual processing capacity or commissioning date have been disclosed yet for this project. These factors will ultimately determine whether the facility serves primarily national needs or evolves into a regionally significant processing hub. Agreements regarding feedstock supply chains and access to accredited downstream refiners will be pivotal in determining profitability beyond just gold recovery metrics.
Overall, Hemosan is transitioning from merely collecting challenging waste towards developing local processing capabilities focused on material recovery and resource concentration. This project not only adds an industrial activity within Bar’s established logistics framework but also serves as a test case for implementing circular economy principles in Montenegro’s recycling landscape.
