The paper proposes a problem-solving approach in the area of underground mining, related to the evaluation and selection of the optimal mining method, employing fuzzy multiple-criteria optimization. The application of fuzzy logic to decision-making in multiple-criteria optimization is particularly useful in cases where not enough information is available about a given system, and where expert knowledge and experience are an important aspect. With a straightforward objective, multiple-criteria decision-making is used to rank various mining methods relative to a set of criteria and to select the optimal solution. The considered mining methods represent possible alternatives. In addition, various criteria and subcriteria that influence the selection of the best available solution are defined and analyzed. The final decision concerning the selection of the optimal mining method is made based on mathematical optimization calculations. The paper demonstrates the proposed approach as applied in a case study.

Present company Trepča-Sever is formed by foreigners after the bombing of Serbia and Montenegro in 1999, and it is a part of former Trepča Conglomerate located in northern part of Kosovo and Metohija, namely in three municipalities: North Kosovska Mitrovica, Zvečan and Leposavić. Main office of Trepča Conglomerate was always in Zvečan, flotation of lead-zinc ore (in the period of , lead smelting and refining plants (founded in 1939), laboratory, Institute, electromechanical workshops and other ancillary services. In Leposavić flotation, ores of Kopaonik mines are processed, while financial and commercial services are located in the North Kosovska Mitrovica.

Present company Trepča-Sever is formed by foreigners after the bombing of Serbia and Montenegro in 1999, and it is a part of former Trepča Conglomerate located in northern part of Kosovo and Metohija, namely in three municpalities: North Kosovska Mitrovica, Zvečan and Leposavić. Main office of Trepča Conglomerate was always in Zvečan, flotation of lead-zinc ore (in the period of , lead smelting and refining plants (founded in 1939), laboratory, Institute, electromechanical workshops and other ancillary services. In Leposavić flotation, ores of Kopaonik mines are processed, while financial and commercial services are located in the North Kosovska Mitrovica

The selection of the most appropriate underground mining technology is not a simple process because it involves handling of a large amount of information about several potential methods. Multicriteria optimization approaches are proven useful tools for ranking alternatives, especially in cases where multiple complex criteria have to be considered simultaneously. An ore deposit is a complex system because of its geology, physical and mechanical properties, and hydrogeological conditions. As such, problem solving requires a heuristic approach and includes tasks involving expert judgement, intuition, estimation, and experience. Using a heuristic strategy to state a problem means that the analyst is placed in a position to apply past experience to a future situation and existing knowledge to new circumstances, as well as discover new avenues to creative problem solving. A complex algorithm was developed to pave the way to quality management of mining, by using the VIKOR method to rank various mining technologies relative to a set of criteria and select the optimum mining method that will primarily ensure profitable and safe mining.

After the migration of Serbs in 1690 and 1735, the exploitation of mines in the area of present-day Serbia ceased, and after a standstill of nearly 200 years, the mining and metallurgical activities in Serbia were activated in the second quarter of the 20th century. The first concessions were bought by England in 1926, then the mines in Stari Trg (1927), Kišnica (1927), Ajvalija (1930), Novo Brdo (1933) were activated, and the Flotation (1930) and Smelter with Lead Refinery began to operate (1939) in Zvečan. In Kosovska Mitrovica, the chemical industry began operating in 1961, the Zinc Metallurgy and Lead Battery Factory in 1967, and all production facilities were expanded and modernized several times. The most intensive production and investment period of the "Trepča" Combine was in the period 1965-1985, when "Trepča" was a well-known producer of lead, zinc, silver, gold, cadmium, bismuth and products made of these metals. After 1990, the production declined for several reasons and, in 1999, the international army stopped production in "Trepča". In the past twenty years, the production has not been completely renewed nor the status of the "Trepča" Combine has not been regulated.