| Kalimashi 1 mine | |
| Pushpin Map: | Albania |
| Pushpin Label: | Kalimashi 1 mine |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location in Albania |
| Coordinates: | 42.057°N 20.28°W |
| Place: | Kalimash |
| Subdivision Type: | County |
| State/Province: | Kukës County |
| Country: | Albania |
| Products: | Chromium |
| Opening Year: | 1978 |
| Closing Year: | 2000 |
The Kalimashi 1 mine is a large mine located near the village Kalimash in northern Albania in Kukës County, 80km (50miles) north-east of the capital, Tirana.[1] Kalimashi 1 represents the fourth largest chromium reserve in Albania and one of the largest in Europe having estimated reserves of 1.9 million tonnes of ore grading 20% chromium metal.[2] The mine is part of the Kukës Massif, a 108km2 area which has a rock thickness between 4km (02miles) and 6km (04miles) and contains 54 verified chromium deposits and occurrences.[2] The deposit has been explored to depths of up to 300m (1,000feet) and the geological reserves amount to 6.8 million tonnes grading 21.4% chromium metal.[2]
The Kalimashi 1 mine began operating in 1978. The total combined chromium ore production from the mine between 1986 and 1998 amounted to 860,000 tonnes.[2] The deepest level of the mine is the + 600 Level which reaches a depth of 300m (1,000feet). The chromium ore reserves of the mine are split into two categories above and below + 600 Level. The proven ore reserves located above the + 600 Level amount to 1,900,000 tonnes of ore grading 20% chromium metal.[2] The proven ore reserves located below the + 600 Level are currently not estimated or calculated but are expected to be grading over 30% chromium metal.[2] The mine's total reserves amount to 1.9 million tonnes of ore grading 20% chromium metal.[2] The chromium ore exploitation complex is located completely underground and has been shut down since 2000 due to financial difficulties. The Kalimashi 1 mine is one of the eight Albanian chromium mines to have reserves of over 1 million tonnes of chromium ore.[2]