DPM Metals is advancing its Čoka Rakita gold project in eastern Serbia toward construction in early 2027, supported by cash flow from existing Balkan operations. The company said it will use equipment sourced from its closed Ada Tepe mine. The approach is intended to reduce the development burden for the next regional mine.
DPM confirmed that equipment from Ada Tepe in Bulgaria is being dismantled and refurbished for transfer to Čoka Rakita. Reusing the equipment could lower procurement requirements, shorten delivery schedules, and reduce part of the capital expenditure compared with buying a new processing and infrastructure package. Construction remains targeted to begin in early 2027.
Regional operating platform supports Čoka Rakita build timeline
DPM said the Serbian project also draws on its Southeast Europe operating platform, including technical teams, procurement experience, and mining infrastructure developed through operations in Bulgaria and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The company’s plan places Čoka Rakita as a more central element of its Balkan growth strategy as it seeks another producing asset in the region.
The company reported that it produced approximately 97,000 gold-equivalent ounces across its operations in the third quarter. That output leaves DPM positioned toward the upper end of its 2026 production guidance. The company linked stronger cash generation to greater internal capacity to finance project development.
In the same quarter, the Vareš mine in Bosnia and Herzegovina contributed around 45,000 gold-equivalent ounces. Chelopech in Bulgaria produced approximately 50,000 ounces. Vareš is also ramping toward annual processing capacity of around 850,000 tonnes by the end of 2026.
Ada Tepe equipment reuse for processing and commissioning
For Čoka Rakita, DPM’s focus is on how quickly it can convert the Serbian discovery into a construction-ready mine while maintaining capital discipline. The company said reusing Ada Tepe equipment provides a source of savings tied to both costs and lead times. It also said relying on machinery already used within its own production system can reduce commissioning uncertainty versus introducing an entirely new equipment configuration.
DPM described its broader Balkan development approach as using established regional operations to support new projects rather than treating each asset as a standalone greenfield investment. For Serbia, the company said Čoka Rakita could become one of the country’s more important new precious-metals developments if it stays on schedule. Immediate milestones include completion of detailed development work, preparation of transferred equipment, and maintaining the timetable for early-2027 construction.
The company said the investment case is shifting from discovery toward execution. With operating mines generating cash elsewhere in the region, DPM’s key question for 2027 is whether its operating platform and reuse of Ada Tepe equipment can support a faster and more capital-efficient build at Čoka Rakita.
