Marchers demand reopening of Bosnia's last steel mill
Hundreds of workers marched in Zenica, Bosnia, on May 1, 2026, to protest the closure of the country's last steel mill, the 130-year-old Zenica Steel Factory. The shutdown, attributed to logistical issues, cheap imports, and lack of government support, has put thousands of jobs at risk. The regional prime minister expressed interest in taking over the plant, while a key supplier, Nova Ljubija mines, also filed for bankruptcy.
- ▪The Zenica Steel Factory, Bosnia's last steel mill, was shut down in April 2026 after 130 years of operation.
- ▪Pavgord Group, the current owner, cited logistical problems, cheaper imported steel, and insufficient government protection as reasons for the closure.
- ▪The Bosniak-Croat federation's prime minister, Nermin Niksic, said the regional government is interested in taking over the plant to resume production.
- ▪The Nova Ljubija iron ore mines, a major supplier to the steel mill, filed for bankruptcy, affecting nearly 600 workers.
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Marchers demand reopening of Bosnia's last steel millSign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inboxBosnian people protest the government's decision to shut down production at the New Ironwork Zenica, during Labor Day protest, in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina, May 1, 2026. REUTERS/Amel EmricPublished May 01, 2026, 10:58 PMUpdated May 01, 2026, 11:09 PMListenZENICA, Bosnia, May 1 - Hundreds of workers marched through Bosnia's central city of Zenica on Friday, protesting against the closure of the country’s last steel mill which they said marked the end of an era of heavy industry.Last week's shutdown of the 130-year-old Zenica Steel Factory put thousands of jobs at risk across the sector, protesters said, and followed on the heels of the closure of Lukavac coke factory in…
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