Mines are still formally state-owned. 1990 wave (third and largest following 88/89 mentioned above) of strikes resulted in mass dismissal of ethnic Albanians working in state enterprises (about 75% of Trepca work force/about 20,000 of 25,000 total workers). About 50% of those who were not allowed to return to work filed unlawful dismissal suits that are still 'pending.'
While some claim that Milosevic has pocketed riches derived from mines *and/or* has used proceeds to finance war efforts, the mines operated at sharply reduced capacity until 1995. In that year, Yugoslav government 're-structured' operations, including creation of government corporation that negotiated first agreement with Greek company (Mytilineos) for injection of investment capital used to purchase new/improved Swedish machinery. Therafter, production increased, 'guest' workers (add Czechs to those mentioned above) were brought in, work force increased to about 75% of what it had been in 1990, and mines became biggest exports/largest source of foreign exchange. About 15% of Trepca work force prior to war earlier this year remained ethnic Albanian but attempted new hires witnessed few applicants (Kosovar intimidation of Kosovars among reasons).
Trepca government corporation and Greek company Mytilineos reached a second agreement in 1997 that will, over five years, increase the latter's participation. Mines were mentioned in government economic report that year, document acceding to IMF credit term demands that state-owned industries be privatized (officially, Yugoslav government committed itself to selected privatization some years ago in pursuit of what it calls 'mixed economy'). Ethnic Albanians lobbied prospective trans-national interests against 'doing business' with Milosevic prior to last spring, arguing that an independent Kosova would negotiate terms more favorable to foreign investors.
Post-war situation finds UN 'missionaries' claiming that they will protect state-owned assets in face of claims from ethnic Albanians, both former managers and 'private investors.' Of course, *only* 'interests' with sufficient capital to exploit this richest mineral resource region in Balkans are trans- nationals that will put the screws to mine workers no matter who they are. Michael Hoover
btw: only attacks on mines were by KLA prior to US/NATO bombing, media devoted almost no coverage to Trepca during war but I'd guess mineral fields were not targeted...