Surface excavation of the „Potrlica“ coal mine - Pljevlja, has a capacity of 1.5 million tons of coal per year and about 6 milion m³ of solid mass overburden . Overburden consisted of natural cement marls as part of a miocenic lake sediments complex. Average quality of cement marl is quite uniform and from the mineralogical and chemical composition aspect, it is suitable for the production of cement.
The paper aims to point out the exceptional economic feasibility of building a cement factory at the base of overburden which is now tailings - an unnecessary expense in the production of coal, as well as the use of coal as a fuel technology in the factory. The paper will also point out the necessary measures to protect the environment which is necessary to the surrounding of Pljevlja, given the climatic characteristics of the area.
Reserves of this mineral resource make it possible for the cement plant with a capacity of 1.5 to 3 million tons per year. An additional argument is a significant need for cement as a product for construction of infrastructure and other facilities in Montenegro, as well as for export purposes.