When Albania’s copper mining industry is mentioned, Beralb Sh.A. is among the first companies that comes to mind. In terms of production volume, processing capacity, technical infrastructure, and employment levels, the company holds a leading position in the sector.

Operating under the umbrella of the Ekin Maden Group, headquartered in Istanbul, Beralb has played a key role over the past 25 years in modernizing Albania’s mining infrastructure and aligning it with international standards. With underground mines, flotation plants, beneficiation units, and integrated environmental management systems, the company conducts its operations in full compliance with Albanian legislation and European Union directives on the environment, health, and occupational safety.

Company executives emphasize that Beralb’s vision is not limited solely to increasing production. Safety, environmental responsibility, investment in human resources, and corporate governance are fundamental pillars of the company’s long-term strategy.

Operational performance and strategic roadmap for 2026

Beralb’s CEO, Mehmet Uluyurt, describes 2025 as a “year of consolidation and strengthening” for the company:

“We ensured production continuity across all mining areas. We increased metal recovery rates at the flotation plants and expanded operational capacity by bringing a new ore body into production. Despite fluctuations in global metal prices, rising energy costs, and supply chain pressures, we managed to maintain stability through rigorous cost management.”

Beralb currently employs more than 420 people, ranking among the largest industrial employers in northern Albania and contributing directly to the regional economy.

For 2026, the following strategic priorities have been set:

Increasing operational efficiency in underground mines

Investments in modern production and drilling equipment

Expansion of digital monitoring, control, and automation systems

Strengthening human resource capacities and raising the level of technical expertise

Full integration of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) practices into decision-making processes

Albania’s copper potential and Beralb’s decisive role

Thanks to its geological structure, Albania lies within one of the most important copper belts in the Balkans. Beralb’s role in transforming this potential into economic value is substantial.

According to Mr. Uluyurt, more than USD 1.5 million was invested in exploration and development activities in 2025 alone, with a further increase in investment planned for 2026.

One of the most telling indicators of the company’s weight in the sector is its share of production:

“Over the past 25 years, approximately 75% of the copper produced in Albania has been generated by Beralb and our predecessor operations.”

This scale positions Beralb as a leader not only in production volume, but also in concentrate processing capacity, engineering infrastructure, and employment levels.

Environmental investments and the sustainability approach

Beralb’s management views sustainability not as a secondary activity, but as a core management philosophy. A significant portion of recent investments has been directed specifically toward improving environmental performance.

These investments include:

Water management and monitoring systems

Infrastructure for safe waste storage and dam control

Technologies to reduce dust and emissions

Digital platforms for environmental data collection and reporting

with a total value exceeding USD 1 million.

The company is also developing feasibility studies and technical analyses for renewable energy projects, aiming in the medium term to cover a significant share of its energy needs from clean sources.

Mr. Uluyurt summarizes this approach as follows:

“What is not measured cannot be managed. That is why we continuously monitor all environmental indicators through digital systems and implement ongoing, data-driven improvements.”

Occupational health and safety: a reference model in the sector

Beralb treats occupational health and safety not as an operational obligation, but as a fundamental corporate value. Over the past two years, more than USD 1 million has been invested in this area.

Key investments include:

Modern personal protective equipment

Communication and tracking systems for underground workers

Advanced risk analysis software

Regular training and certification programs

Formation of professional search-and-rescue teams

Periodic emergency response drills

Construction of one of the first modern underground refuge chambers in Albania

The company’s policy is clear:

“No production target is more important than human life.”

Human resources, education, and corporate culture

Within Beralb’s organizational structure, human resources occupy a central role. Technical training programs, professional certifications, and leadership development are standard components of company practice.

Over the past two years, there has been a notable increase in the number of women in managerial and technical positions. The company views diversity not only as a social value, but also as a strategic factor that enhances performance and improves the quality of decision-making.

Social contribution and regional development

In the areas where it operates, Beralb positions itself not only as a mining company, but as a long-term social and economic partner.

Through cooperation with local suppliers, vocational training projects, infrastructure support, and job creation, the company has become one of the key actors in economic stability and social development in northern Albania.

According to company executives, true sustainability means:

“Ensuring that even after mining activity ends, regions remain economically strong and socially resilient.”

25th anniversary and long-term corporate vision

The year 2026 will mark a turning point for Beralb, as the company celebrates its 25th anniversary.

This quarter-century represents a significant accumulation of technical knowledge, operational experience, and the development of a strong corporate culture. Management aims to leverage this capital not only to expand production capacities, but also to set new standards in safety, transparency, and sustainability within the mining sector.

Mr. Uluyurt summarizes the company’s core philosophy with this statement:

“When you place people, the environment, and safety at the center, financial success follows naturally.”

In the long term, Beralb’s objective is to position itself as one of the copper producers that are:

the safest,

the most environmentally friendly,

people-oriented,

with the highest standards of corporate governance,

not only in Albania, but across the entire Balkan region.