Dragan Milosevic

   

President
Geological and Mining Association of Serbia

BIO

Mr. Milosevic is a mining engineer with more than 20 years of experience in the field, giving him a thorough understanding of the Serbian mining sector as well as the nation's legal system. At the University of Belgrade's Faculty of Mines and Geology, he started his professional career in 2003. He established the thriving Terragold&Co mining consultancy business in 2007 with a focus on the planning and permitting procedure for new mining operations, which he is still in charge of today. Since 2007, more than 50 small-scale mining operations in Serbia have had their permitting processes successfully completed.

Mr. Milosevic is one of the founding members of the Geological and Mining Association of Serbia (GRAS). Holding positions such as president, vice president, and member of the board of directors indicates his active involvement and leadership within the association.

Session 4.
21 October 2025 / 16:20 - 17:20 | Lagoas hall

Mineral rich countries - curse or opportunity

Serbia’s resource wealth presents both risks and opportunities. The country holds significant deposits of copper, gold, lithium, boron, coal, and industrial minerals, positioning it as a potential hub for Europe’s energy transition. Properly managed, these resources could attract foreign investment, boost exports, and fund infrastructure, education, and innovation. However, Serbia also faces “resource curse” risks: heavy reliance on raw mineral exports, environmental degradation, and political pressures around foreign concessions. Lithium projects, for example, highlight tensions between economic gains and ecological or social concerns. The key lies in governance—transparent contracts, fair revenue sharing, and reinvestment into diversified industries. If Serbia strengthens institutions and balances mining with sustainability, its resource base can become an opportunity. If not, it risks falling into dependency, conflict, and environmental costs.