KOSOVO/ A serious technical defect in the “Trepça” mine in Stantërg, Mitrovica has left dozens of miners stranded for more than 16 hours.
Trouble started around 1:00 a.m. when a main transformer failed, cutting off the power supply and blocking normal mine operations.
According to local media, the director of the mine, Shyqyri Sadiku, confirmed that “50 miners have been inside since 01:30 after midnight. Some of them have managed to get out, while currently 18 miners are still inside. Their health condition is stable and work is being done to find an alternative solution.”
Even the member of the Workers’ Union of Trepca, Gani Osmani, said that the situation is difficult.
“At the time of the breakdown of the transformer, there were about 45 miners on the third shift. Some of them, younger and healthier, have walked through difficult and alternative routes. Currently, there are 18 miners left inside the shell on the 10th and 11th horizons, who are a little older and have not been able to get out.”
Osmani added that the condition of the miners remaining underground “is not good”, while the technical teams are working intensively to repair the defect and restore energy.
“16 hours are down and their condition is not good. The masters are working, but I don’t know when the works will be completed,” he said.
On January 26, 2026, miners on the second shift were trapped for 6 to 7 hours due to the elevator malfunctioning due to an electrical fault.
