From digitalisation to safety innovations, she shares how Adriatic Metals is setting new standards while ensuring long-term prosperity for the region.
Mining has shaped this region for centuries, from medieval times to the present, and all signs point to it playing a crucial role in the future. How do you see the industry’s evolution? Are there enough well-defined deposits to sustain long-term development?
The mining industry is fundamental to human progress, and today, it seems to be more critical than ever.
As we transition to a more electrified and sustainable world, responsibly sourced metals are essential to powering this shift – supporting from renewable energy infrastructure to advanced technologies. Beyond this, mining has an important role to play in economic growth, creating opportunities that lift communities out of poverty and drive long-term prosperity. The industry is evolving rapidly, and new technologies are enabling us to locate and extract resources with greater efficiency and less environmental impact than ever before.
We are in what I would call a “golden age” for exploration where digital tools, data analytics and advancements in geoscience allow us to see deeper into the earth’s cut, uncover new deposits and even redefine historic mining districts.
We are in a ‘golden age’ for exploration, where technology is unlocking new potential in mining
Geologists today are not just explorers in the traditional sense – they are data analysts, system thinkers, problem solvers – and modellers of the world. This transformation is unlocking new potential in mature mining jurisdictions and beyond, ensuring that well-defined deposits continue to sustain the industry’s long-term future. It is an exciting time to be a geologist.
The debate on mining often centres on environmental concerns, overshadowing its economic impact—though the two are deeply connected. In your view, how can the region strike the right balance between safeguarding the environment and unlocking new jobs, growth, and prosperity?
Achieving balance is crucial. The world needs metal – both for economic growth and to facilitate the green transition – but how we extract and process is just as important as why we do it. Our responsibility as miners is to minimise our footprint, work in harmony/synergy with local communities, and ensure that the benefits of mining extend well beyond the life of the Operation.
Adriatic’s Vares Silver Mine is designed to have as small a footprint as possible – it has a zero-water discharge design, operates within an existing industrial footprint, and maximises efficiency through high-grade underground mining, significantly reducing surface impact. These principles guide all our operations, ensuring that we contribute to both economic development and environmental responsibility. The key to long-term prosperity is collaboration – between industries, governments, and communities. Through transparent engagement and responsible practices, we can ensure that mining not only creates jobs and drives investments but also consciously minds the environment and supports sustainable local economies.
In Raška, Adriatic Metals has found not only significant mineral reserves but also strong infrastructure, market access, low tax rates, and a skilled workforce. Has the investment proven to be the right decision? Do your operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina offer the same advantages?
Investing in this region has proven to be an excellent decision! The Balkans offer a unique combination of rich mineral endowment, strong infrastructure, and a highly skilled workforce, making it a compelling destination for responsible mining investments.
The key to long-term prosperity is collaboration between industries, governments, and communities
No mining investment is worthwhile without a great orebody – it is the foundation of our work, and the region is highly prospective in that manner, and Adriatic continues to explore and seek out those next opportunities. But beyond geology, what truly makes a difference is the support of local communities and governments, and we have been fortunate to receive strong collaboration at every level. Our commitment is to be a responsible corporate citizen adhering to the highest standards in health, safety and environmental performance.
With financial strength, expertise, and global experience, Adriatic Metals is driving projects that could reshape the region’s mining sector. How do you ensure that progress goes hand in hand with health and safety as top priorities?
No project is successful unless it is safe for its employees, contractors and communities – so safety for us is not just a priority, it is a core value. As we develop new operations, we bring world-class safety standards, innovative technologies and know-how to the BiH mining sector – for example, at Vareš, we have introduced automation, electronic detonation systems and emulsion explosives – improving both safety and efficiency.
I believe in building teams that reflect the world we live in—diverse, dynamic, and forward-thinking
But we are not alone in driving progress – collaboration with regulators is also key, and we work closely with authorities to ensure that we meet compliance requirements. Ultimately, a strong safety culture is built from the ground up – through training, leadership and a strong commitment to protecting people at every level of our business.
Mining may be one of the world’s oldest industries, but innovation is reshaping it. Digitalisation, AI, and cutting-edge technologies are redefining operations globally. Has this future already arrived at Adriatic Metals?
In many ways, yes—innovation is already here. We use automated loading in our underground mine, which makes operations faster and safer. We’re applying real-time digital monitoring systems to evaluate ore grades, ensuring we maximise recovery while minimising waste. Our modern tailing management approach reuses waste material for underground backfill, reducing surface impact and making the mine itself more stable.
Finally, mining has long been a male-dominated field, yet here you are, leading one of the key players in the sector. What has your journey been like, and what does your leadership bring to an industry undergoing such transformation?
When I started in mining over 35 years ago, there weren’t many women in the field—especially not in operational roles. It wasn’t always easy, but I never let that define my experience. As a geologist and mining engineer, I have loved every step of my career, even the difficult bits, and I was fortunate to have great mentors who helped shape my career. Today, things have changed significantly – there are many more women globally working in all aspects of mining, both surface and underground and the technologies employed in mining have changed the work, though we still have progress to make.
I believe in building teams that reflect the world we live in—diverse, dynamic, and forward-thinking. The more perspectives we have at the table, the better decisions we make.
