The Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina has annulled its decision to transfer state land in Vares, central Bosnia, to the British company Adriatic Metals. This decision ends the company's plan to use the land for further ore exploitation and tailings storage in the area.

“We have revoked that decision, respecting the ruling of the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, showing that we are a responsible government that adheres to the institutions of this country,” said Kemal Hrnjic, the Federation's Minister of Agriculture, Water Management, and Forestry.

The Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina had invalidated the 2023 decision by the Federation's government to repurpose 72,000 square meters of forest land in Vareš for temporary use by Adriatic Metals. The company had started exploiting ores and minerals in January 2024, with plans to produce zinc, barite, and lead.

Minister Hrnjic stated that any further business decisions are up to the company, and the government will not be involved.

The Constitutional Court emphasized that the land in question is state property under a disposal ban, and that neither of Bosnia's entities has the authority to manage this land in any way.

A similar decision was made regarding land on Jahorina, sold by the Republika Srpska government to the company Drvo-Export, despite the annulment of the sale.

The ban on the disposal of state property remains in effect until a state-level law on state property is enacted, as per the 2005 law imposed by the Office of the High Representative (OHR).