Potential and Geochemical Characteristics of Geothermal Resources in Eastern Macedonia

Geothermal explorations in the Republic of Macedonia were intensified in the 70's, during the first effects from the energetic crisis. As a result of those explorations, there were established over 50 springs with mineral and thermo-mineral water, with maximum potential of over 1400 l/s and evidenced reserves as deposit for exploitation of around 1000 l/s, with temperature higher than the mean season swings for this part of the Earth in the range 20-79 °C, accumulated quantities of geothermal power. Geologically and hydrogeologically spoken, these geothermal resources are mainly located in eastern and southeastern Macedonia, in the Bregalnica-Strumica region composed by 23 municipalities. This region, in its geological past has undergone many big tectonic changes and its composition is formed by almost every type of stones, including the youngest and oldest formations, forming hydro geothermal systems, that currently are the only ones worthwhile to be explored and exploited. The most important hydro geothermal systems in this area are the tertiary basins of Kochani valley, Kezhovica Spa near Shtip, and the Kratovo-Zletovo volcano region, exactly the micro regions included in the REDEM region as the territory from the project target group. In order to valorize this geothermal potential in eastern and southeastern Macedonia certain pre-conditions should be created for using these resources in Bregalnica-Strumica region. This means that serious project documentation should be prepared followed by the targets that should be accomplished and tasks for faster development in order to use this important geothermal potential in this region, but at the same time following the positive legislation for issuing a concession for carrying out Detailed Geological Explorations (DGEs) and exploitation of the geothermal energy in the Republic of Macedonia (RM), according to the Law on mineral raw materials (Official Gazette of the RM, no. 18/99 and 29/02). With the project "Creation of pre-conditions for utilization of the geothermal potential in the eastern and south-eastern region", the basic information about the geothermal resources in the RM will be presented in brief. In addition, the project will present details of the potentials of this region showing the energetic value of the geothermal resources in this region, currently available capacities, technical capabilities and deposit characteristics.


Introduction
Geothermal explorations in the Republic of Macedonia were intensified in the 70's, during the first effects from the energetic crisis.As a result of those explorations, there were established over 50 springs with mineral and thermo-mineral water, with maximum potential of over 1400 l/s and evidenced reserves as deposit for exploitation of around 1000 l/s, with temperature higher than the mean season swings for this part of the Earth in the range 20-79 °C, accumulated quantities of geothermal power.Geologically and hydrogeologically spoken, these geothermal resources are mainly located in eastern and southeastern Macedonia, in the Bregalnica-Strumica region composed by 23 municipalities.This region, in its geological past has undergone many big tectonic changes and its composition is formed by almost every type of stones, including the youngest and oldest formations, forming hydro geothermal systems, that currently are the only ones worthwhile to be explored and exploited.The most important hydro geothermal systems in this area are the tertiary basins of Kochani valley, Kezhovica Spa near Shtip, and the Kratovo-Zletovo volcano region, exactly the micro regions included in the REDEM region as the territory from the project target group.In order to valorize this geothermal potential in eastern and southeastern Macedonia certain pre-conditions should be created for using these resources in Bregalnica-Strumica region.This means that serious project documentation should be prepared followed by the targets that should be accomplished and tasks for faster development in order to use this important geothermal potential in this region, but at the same time following the positive legislation for issuing a concession for carrying out Detailed Geological Explorations (DGEs) and exploitation of the geothermal energy in the Republic of Macedonia (RM), according to the Law on mineral raw materials (Official Gazette of the RM, no.18/99 and 29/02).With the project "Creation of pre-conditions for utilization of the geothermal potential in the eastern and south-eastern region", the basic information about the geothermal resources in the RM will be presented in brief.In addition, the project will present details of the potentials of this region showing the energetic value of the geothermal resources in this region, currently available capacities, technical capabilities and deposit characteristics.
Simple definition of the geothermal energy is that it is a quantum of calories (the thermal energy in warm water) that the Earth holds in its inside part.According to the location

Geological characteristics and tectonic placement of the RM
Macedonia is situated in the middle of the Balkans peninsula and has 25.713 km 2 .The geotectonic position is determined by its location.It belongs to the Alps -Caucasus -Himalaya geosyncline belt, and the history in creating of the terrain is tightly connected with the former geosynclinals Tetis and the Alpine orogeny, also with the primordial position of the lithosphere.Generally spoken, over the components of the Alps orogen, the territory of RM belongs on two tectonic systems: the western part including the Vardar valley belongs to the Dinarides (Helenides) whereas the eastern Macedonian mountainous terrain and valley's depressions are segment of the Serbian-Macedonian massif.Additionally, along the Macedonian-Bulgarian borderline, a small separated zone belongs to the Carpatian-Balkanides, the Kraishtide zone (Dimitrievic, 1974).
According to this geotectonic reorganization, the main part of the Macedonian territory that spreads west from the Dojran-Strumica-Zletovo-Kumanovo line is divided in four (4) geotectonic units: Vardar zone, Pelagonian horst-anticlinorum, western Macedonian zone, and the Korab zone better known as Cukali-Krasta zone Fig. 1.
To the East from the mentioned line lies the Macedonian massif of mountains which is connected with the Rodopi Mountains in Bulgaria through the Ograzhden Mauntain.In the borderline zone with Bulgaria, to the north of Berovo-Delchevo, as a wedge in the old Rodopi Mountains there are elements from the Carpatian-Balkanides massif separated in the Struma zone (better known as Kraishtide zone, after I. Bonchev).Every separate unit is one structural entity, characterized with its separate geological development including the specific processes of tectonic deformations and manifestation of magma differentiation.
The terrain that forms the territory of the RM in its geological past has undergone big tectonic changes and it is represented by almost every type of rocks, from the oldest to the youngest, starting with Precambrian metamorphosis rocks, with high cristalinity and than the youngest neogenesis and quarter sedimentary complexes.Also, there are found vast surfaces with eruptive rocky masses, from ultra basal to extremely acid and alkaline magma rocks.As a result of all above mentioned, we have found forms with highly specific geological, hydro geological and geomorphologic characteristics.Because of the heterogeneous geologic-lithologic composition and the tectonic past of the terrain as well as from the different geomorphologic and climate characteristics, there are found different types of underground water.In the mountainous part of the terrain there are more dispersed springs usually found, as opposed to the numerous valleys, there are also springs that are more compactly settled, some with free surface and other under pressure (artesian wells-springs), while in the seismic active zones we find the thermal and mineral waters, i.e. the hydro geothermal resources.Fig. 1.Main geothermal areas in the Republic of Macedonia and regional tectonic setting (Arsovski, 1997)

Geothermal characteristics
According to the way of transmission of the geo-thermal energy, hydro-geo-thermal resources are divided in two groups: convective and conductive hydro-geo-thermal systems.The group of conductive systems gathers the systems with dominant conductive way of transfer of the geothermal energy.In this group in the RM we find the tertiary basins of Ovce Pole, Tikvesh, Delchevo-Pehchevo basin and the basins of Skopje valley, Strumica valley, Gevgelija valley, Polog and Pelagonija valley.In the group of convective hydro geothermal systems a convective way of transfer of the geothermal energy dominates.The most important convective hydro geothermal systems in the territory of the RM are: Skopje valley, Kocani valley, Strumica valley, Gevgelija valley, Kezhovica near Shtip, Toplic-Topli dol on the Kozuf Mountain, Toplec near Dojran, Proevci near Kumanovo, Strnovec, Zdravevci at the river Povishnica near Kratovo, Sabotna voda near Veles, as well as the systems in the western Macedonia -Kosovrasti and Debar spa, and Banice at the river Pena near Tetovo.
In the following text we will present the data and the parameters on the most important hydro geothermal systems in the eastern and south-eastern part of Macedonia.Location of the main geothermal fields and their systems are shown on Fig. 2.
On the Macedonian territory there are rocks from different ages, starting from Precambrian to Quarter, presented by almost all litho logic types.The oldest, Precambrian rocks are composed of gneiss, micaschists, marlstone and orthometamorphides, the Paleozoic rocks are mostly green schists and Mesozoic are presented by marlstone, limestone, acid-, alkaliand ultra alkali magma stones.Tertiary sediments are composed of flysch and lake sediments, sandstones, limestones, claystones and sands.What stands to the structural relations the territory can be divided in six geotectonic units: Chukali-Krasta zone, west Macedonian zone, Pelagonian horst anticlinorum, Vardar zone, Serbian-Macedonian massif and Kraishtida zone.The tectonic position is based upon the terrain itself and the geological data without using geo-thermal hypothesis (Arsovski, 1997).The first four tectonic units are part of the Dinarids, the Serbian-Macedonian massif is part of Rodopi and Kraischtida zone is part of Carpatian-Balkanidi zone.Fig. 2. Main geothermal fields in Macedonia (Popovski & Micevski, 2005) in the medial part of the Bregalnica river basin.The economic, cultural and political center is the city of Kochani (30.000 inhabitants).
The deposit itself in regional-geological sense belongs to the zone of higher thermal flow that stretches from Turkey, across northern Greece, eastern Macedonia all the way to the Panonian basin.In a tectonic sense the region is a complicated orogene area that belongs to the two tectonic units: Serbian-Macedonian basin and the Vardar zone with highly expressed volcanic activity of the Kratovo-Zletovo volcanic area Fig. 3.
The deposit from the point of view of supplementation is an infiltration type.
Based upon the completely done interdisciplinary researches, it is verified as maybe one of the world largest non-magma deposit of geothermal water, with overall balanced static reserves of approximately 150.000.000m 3 over 70°C.The chemistry of the water is Na-bicarbonate water with pH=7, none corrosive enclosed systems, that gives its possibility for various applications.The presence of some elements (Se, F and etc.) in controlled referent limits, gives the water special quality and it can be used as a bottled drinking water (Table 1).Fig. 3. Regional zone with increased thermal flow (Bonchev, 1974) In order to take a look on the activities that practically have verified the deposit of geothermal water in "Podlog-Banja" and established the "Geoterma" system, we will present a review, chronology and results organized in three temporal stages (Naunov, 2003).

First stage
The first stage is typically explorative and is located at the very beginning, in the year 1973 and all the way to the year 1984.This period, organized by the Council of the Municipality Micro location of the exploration boreholes; Based upon the synthesis of all gathered information from the exploration, officially elaborated the following results: the geothermal area in the Kochani valley is being fully characterized in all segments (geologic, petrologic, geophysical, structural and hydro-geological characteristics).

Second stage
Activities in the second stage were mainly organized around promotion of the results and the detailed explorative works from the first stage at the location Podlog-Banja, all with a role of creating an objective ground for establishing a re-injection system.The period of these activities is after 1984 and is characterized with organizing new personnel, at the beginning like an investment group within PCE "Vodovod"-Kochani, and later transformed in an independent experts group of the geothermal system "Geoterma".Since 1984 till present it is the main initiator and animator of the activities concerning the system.
During this period a lot of domestic and foreign experts, also exploration institutions took part and successfully finished the following tasks: located and drilled exploiting wells EW MP-1, EW2, EW3 as well as re-injecting borehole P-10, and then in 1999, well EW-4; -for utilization of the capacities of the deposit 'Podlog-Banja', the concept was prepared, feasibility study elaborated and the project prepared of the exploitation system GTW "Geoterma" (Fig. 4.) - The system "Geoterma" was built and activated as an exploitation-distribution system; the basic "Geoterma" technical-technological parts are: -Exploitation wells for geothermal water (GTW) -Pipeline -Pumping and distributing unit -Distribution pipeline for GTW At this phase of development, the system has installed capacity of 300 l/sec, and practically an annual average of 1.400.000m 3 GTW pumped and distributed with mean temperature of 75°C.
The main usage of the geothermal water is for the needs of: agricultural production in greenhouses, around 18 ha low-temperature technological processes -Central heating of public and administrative buildings in the downtown Kochani www.intechopen.comFig. 4. General scheme of the System for exploitation, distribution and reinjection "Geoterma" -Kochani (Naunov, 2003) Partial realization of the investment-technical conception of the "Geoterma" system as well as the findings and the results gained during the exploitation phase in the period of 1985-89 with registration of the piesometric level of the basin, clearly and without doubts has shown an urgent need of building of the re-injecting phase of the system (Fig. 5).
For this purpose a 3 H-tritium traced detailed explorative researches have been done and at the same time the unlimited possibility of applying of the re-injection was proven.Afterwards, upon these results and the created project solutions, the basic part of the reinjecting system was realized as an inseparable i.e. complementary part of the whole exploitation system and practically encircled the system "Geoterma".
The re-injection system in this stage of equipment has the main role to cap the used quantities of GTW from the agro complexes (at this stage only from AC "Mosha Pijade"-Podlog) and through the re-injection pump system to inject it back in the re-injection borehole P-10 in the village of Banja.But, besides the big expectations from this re-injecting system, from well known reasons-transformation of 2-valence Fe in to 3-valence Fe in the GTW and creation of voluminous sediment threatening to close the re-injecting borehole-it didn't work well with full capacity.

Third stage
This stage of the activities: 1995-2003, treats mainly the problems that originated from our experience in exploitation of GTW, as well as problems with development program for the system "Geoterma".Organized as it is with very few innovations and participation of renowned experts and institutions on this field, in this stage we should emphasize the following activities: intensification of the researches for solving the problem with the re-injecting system; -technical-technological equipping of the system; -researches and preparations for implementation, and the implementation of the projectbottling of GTW; -encircling of the central heating system for the town of Kochani continuity in the research activities for defining the mechanisms of supplementation of the deposit, and completely defining of the one (shown at the prognostic pattern, (Fig. 6); The other effects are clearly expressed in few segments, above all in using the GTW for bottling, with accent on its outstanding quality and the special wellness characteristics positive for the health of the consumers, as well as for balneology-recreation purposes; In the scientific-research segment it is a special contribution as applied explorative model and its results; In the administrative-legislative segment -also as an avant-garde object-project, that helped the development of geothermal science and utilization of geothermal waters in Macedonia.

Hydro geothermal system Istibanja-Vinica
The hydro geothermal system Istibanja-Vinica, with its thermo-mineral springs is directly settled in the immediate surroundings of the village Istibanja (Vinica), along the flow of river Bregalnica (Fig. 7).
The geothermal field Istibanja -Vinica from geological point of view lies on the contact between two tectonic units (the Serbian-Macedonian massif on the East and the Vardar zone on the West) at the eastern periphery of the Kochani valley, very close to Istibanja and Vinica.The microlocation of the exploitation wells 1-3,1-4 and 1-5 is between the regional motorway Kochani-Istibanja-Delchevo and the river Bregalnica, drilled in the river terrace along the river bed.As separated hydro geothermal system from the Kochani geothermal field (Podlog-Banja system) is micro-located on a terrain with rocky masses as part of the Serbian-Macedonian geotectonic unit.
The Serbian-Macedonian massif in the area of Istibanja and Vinica is built up of old Precambrian and Riphean -Cambrian rocks.The former, Precambrian rocks are presented by double-mica striped gneisses (Gmb), a variant of micaschists and amphibolites (Kovacevic et al 1973;.Rakicevik et al, 1973).
While analyzing the neotectonic fault zone (shear) structures, gathered as information from the satellite recordings and the geotectonic map of the RM (Arsovski , 1987) in proportional ratio 1:200.000,we can clearly match the difference between the Vardar zone on one side (western part) and the Serbian-Macedonian massif on the other (eastern part).Many ring like structures with different dimensions are typical for both systems in this region (Podlog, Banja and Istibanja).The neotectonic structural forms in the Serbian-Macedonian massif, where the Istibanja hydro geothermal system belongs are different than the tectonic structures in the Vardar zone.Also, it should be mentioned that the Vardar zone belt has deep shear structures with pretty much expressed seismic activity, contrary to the relatively stable Serbian-Macedonian massif.
The deposit-reservoir of the hydro geothermal system in the geothermal field of Istibanja-Vinica is composed of ruptured Paleozoic gneisses and granites, as shown at the prognostic model on the figure.The supplementation zone for this system is formed by the gneisses, micaschists and schist's from the Golak downhill-Krshla in the eastern part of the valley as well as from the north-eastern parts of Osogovo Mountains (Fig. 8).
The outflow zone of the system is presented with contemporary geo-thermal occurrences as natural springs in the very surrounding of Istibanja and the exploitation wells I-3, I-4 and I-5 in the very surrounding of the river Bregalnica, to the south of the village Istibanja, Vinica.
According to the type of hydro-geo-thermal system, it is found in the group of semi-closed systems in ruptured (jointed) gneisses and granites from the Paleozoic age where the outflow zones are located in the shears.
1.Pt-gneisses, 2. Pz-shall, 3. granite, 4. fault zone, 5. boundary of the reservoir hydrogeothermal, 6. superior direction of movement of thermal water, 7. superior direction of movement of cold water, 8. constructed boreholes, 9. thermal source.The GTW from this hydro geothermal system is used in the greenhouse complex (6 ha), that is warmed using combination of geothermal water and crude oil.Supported by the grants from the Austrian government in the period after the year 2000, the system was reconstructed and prepared for production and export.The geothermal system Istibanja is using geothermal water from three exploitation wells with total capacity of 56 l/sec and water temperature of 67°C, connected with pipelines long 3,25 km.The actual available capacity that reaches the greenhouses (agricultural complex) is 50 l/sec with water temperatures of 61 °C.

Hydro geothermal system Kezhovica -Shtip
On the right shore of river Bregalnica, approximately 2 km to the southwest from the center of Shtip, on the exit of Novo Selo, lays the geothermal system Kezhovica -Ldzhi (Fig. 9).The reservoir of this hydro-geo-thermal system is built on Jurassic joint granites (Fig. 10).Big part of these granites is covered with tertiary sediments of Ovchepole and Lakavichki basin (Fig. 11).
1.shall, 2. gneisses, 3. reservoir of gneisses, 4. massive granite, 5. cracked granite, 6. tertiary sediments, 7. superior direction of movement of thermal water, 8. superior direction of movement of cold water, 9. constructed boreholes, 10. thermal source.The site of these geothermal waters is located between the hills Isar and Kumlako from the left and Marite from the right side of the river Bregalnica.In Kezovica, 30 years ago there w only one drilled well which was used as capping in the old Shtip spa, and by the Ldzhi, as nc capped thermo mineral water leaking in few places directly on the surface.With the research made in 1953 and with information gained, on the location of the old spa in the next few years new spa has been built, with modern areas and pools and also modern rehabilitation center has been built.Kezhovica as a spa is known since the Ottoman's Empire in Macedonia, when it was used as healing thermal water, too.
Contrary to Kezhovica, the locality Ldzhi, except the relatively shallow researched drills E the formed pipelines around these drills, until these days nothing more has been done researching of this hydro geothermal system (Kekic and Mitev, 1976).
Kezhovica Spa and the thermo-mineral system Ldzhi, although are well known as import hydro geothermal phenomena especially with their great radioactivity and healing characteristic for their exploration and valorization of their geothermal fluid, nothing particular has been do Thermo-mineral waters in Kezhovica Spa are not overflowing, but today they are used by shallow wells with capacity of 4,5 l/s and water temperature of 57 -63°C.
In Ldzhi locality there are more thermo-mineral waters in form of springs.Their maxi capacity is minimal and around 0,03-1,0 l/s.Captivated spring that exists today is with capacity 0,5-1,0 l/s.All these springs are with the same origin and are hydraulically connected, and t temperature varies from 28 -59°C.The water in Ldzhi Spa has variable maximal capacity depends on the water in the river Bregalnica.It has the characteristic that with the raising of level of the water in the river Bregalnica, beside the capacity of the thermo-mineral water in L springs, there is uprising of the temperature of this water.That is explained with deep infiltrate of the river flow underground this terrain, through existing joints where the same has capability, besides the emerging of the capacity of the thermomineral water, to heat to a hi| temperature.
According to the results from ht chemical analysis of the thermo-mineral water in Kezhovica Spa and Ldzhi springs, it can be said that they are CI -Na waters.Total mineralization of the water in the capping of Kezhovica Spa is 1450 mg/l, and at Ldzhi springs varies from 1310,4 -1507,9 mg/l.Kezhovica Spa by its radioactivity belongs to one of the most radioactive thermo-mineral waters not only in Macedonia, but also in the wider region.The radioactivity in the capping Kezhovica is 42,82 Mach units, and the water in Ldzhi springs is 11,57 Mach units.This bigger radioactivity of the water in Kezhovica Spa related to the radioactivity of the water from Ldzhi springs, should be taken in consideration of the tectonic or seismic-tectonic activity of the main stratum that passes near Kezhovica, which is the main seismic dislocation that spreads from Strumica on the South through Kezhovica and Sveti Nikole all the way to Kumanovo (Kotevski, 1977).
During the years 1953 and 1964, there were six shallow explorative holes drilled (C-1 to C-6), and a large one (D-7).Their maximal capacity in terms of exploitation done in that period was 20 l/s.During the year 1983, nearby Ldzhi springs, on the right side of river Bregalnica, there was another research hole drilled, B-4 with maximum capacity of 30 l/s and with the temperature of the water 32°C.The temperature now is lowered because the water is a mixture of the surface Bregalnica water and hot water from the deep springs of cracked granites which are the tank (reservoirs) of this geothermal system, nearby Shtip.
The healing power of the water from Kezhovica Spa is in its high temperature, radioactivity and the chemical structure.
Total amount of the balanced reserves of the hydro geothermal system Kezhovica-Ldzhi are shown on Table 2

Utilization of the geothermal energy in the spa complexes
Macedonia although a small country is very rich in thermal and thermo-mineral water, that are currently used in the thermal spas and medical recreation centers.The geothermal energy of these geothermal and thermo-mineral waters is used in eight thermal spas, and four are located in the eastern and southeastern part of Macedonia.The thermo-mineral water in these complexes has various physical-chemical characteristics and temperatures, depending on the site and localization of the geothermal field where the spa complex is located.The water temperatures in the spas in Macedonia, starting with the highest are: Spa Bansko -73°C, Kezhovica Spa -54°C, Spa Negorci 38°C etc.With regards to the quantities of available flow of geothermal water in the spas in eastern and southeastern Macedonia: in Spa Bansko -35 l/s, Kezhovica Spa -5,4 l/s, Spa Negorci 1,8 l/s, etc.The utilization of the geothermal energy in the spa complexes in eastern and southeastern Macedonia and their thermal power are presented in Table 3. 1) Thermal power (MWt) = Max flow Q (kg/s) h inflow T(°C) -outflow T(°C) x 0,004184 (MW=10 6 W)

Nr
2) Annual usage (TJ/year) = Average spend Q (kg/I) x inflow T(°C) -outflow T (°C) x 0,1319 (TJ/year) Table 3.The utilization of the geothermal energy in the spa complexes in eastern and southeastern Macedonia and their thermal power The planned reconstructions of the heating installations that use the geothermal water in the spa and recreational complexes in eastern and south-eastern Macedonia are still not implemented because of unsolved property issues.However, one can't expect positive developments unless the ownership over the public spa complexes is defined.

Comparison of the geothermal potential resources with the other sources of energy and the geothermal
In order to analyze the economic aspects of the exploitation of the geothermal energy as a power source, a unique and adequate access towards forming of the prices of every separate kind of energy source is needed, which are produced and distributed from the energetic systems, as well as for the market price of the oil at the moment when the analysis are being done.Macedonia is a part of the group of developing countries.After the independence in 1991, it entered the period of "transition" and change of the capital from public into private that also influenced the sector of industrial production and energy.
Macedonia as main power source is using domestic coal and hydro energy from power plants and imported oil.The utilization of the solar energy is insignificantly small related to the needs and the possibilities, and the utilization of the natural gas is still in a phase of preparation, but also it's imported.The energy from the biomasses is still in experimental phase. www.intechopen.com The coal is the best researched power source in Macedonia.Total deposits of coal are 906.247 x 10 3 t.
The hydro power of the rivers in Macedonia is still not used enough and currently it's exploited in a thermal equivalent of 411 MW.The needs and the participation of every single power source in the energy balance of Macedonia is presented in Table 4.

Hydrochemical analysis of tested water
In the recent period, from geochemical point of view, the best studied are thermo -mineral waters from the springs Ldzi and Kezovica.Further will be presented the hydrochemical characteristics of mentioned system.
Analyses of the chemical composition of the thermo -mineral waters, done on the samples from the exploited well in the spa and the springs Ldzi, showed that in both cases waters are of chloride -sodium, for the springs Ldzi of first type, and for the spa Kezovica of second type.
Total mineralization of the water from the spa Kezovica is 1450.0mg/l, and from the springs Ldzi varies within 1310.4 to 1507.9 mg/l in the main spring, where in 1953 was drilled the borehole C-4.pH value of this spring and the spa Kezovica is 7.2, based on the examinations of "Industroproject" Zagreb this value is 7.6 for Kezovica and 7.8 for Ldzi Table 5.It is obvious that these waters are on the border between the neutral and alkaline.
About the hardness of the waters from these localities, the general hardness for the gathering on Kezovica is 8.5 dH o , and the carbonate is 9.0 dH o .For the springs Ldzi, the general hardness is 5.9 dH o , and the carbonate is within 7.7 to 9.6 dH o .The largest hardness in the springs Ldzi is in the spring No. 7 where the total mineralization is the smallest.Also, this spring has the lowest temperature (30 o C).Probably, it is because of mixing of the thermo -mineral waters with the water from the river Bregalnica, which could be seen on the terrain.
Analyses made from "Industroproject" Zagreb showed increased general hardness -For Kezovica 10 dH o , and for the springs Ldzi 14 dH o .
It should be said that there is no magnesium in the springs Ldzi, and in the gathered waters of the spa Kezovica, the amount of magnesium is 33.0 mg/l and according "Industroproject" Zagreb is 35 mg/l.the question arises why this is present when both waters appeared in the www.intechopen.com  5. Chemical analysis of thermomineral waters from spa Kezovica ("Industroproject" -Zagreb) www.intechopen.comgranites on the fault lines.It should be bearing in mind that thermo-mineral waters Kezovica are on the fault line between granites and Upper Eocene sediments and the springs Ldzi occurred in granites.Magnesium is always present in the sediments which is concluded and from the chemical analyses of the springs with cold water Ribnik (79.2 mg/l magnesium) and Krstot (28.8 mg/l magnesium) Table 6.Also, chemical analyses from Novo Selo showed presence of this element in range of 15.1 -40.3 mg/l, which means that underground waters from the sediments contain magnesium unlike the waters from the granites.

Radioactivity
Based on the radioactivity, thermo -mineral waters in the vicinity of Shtip are different, although they are placed in the same rock masses and on the fault lines which through the transverse faults and the tectonic cracks communicate with each other.Based on the analyses of S. Miholik, radioactivity of the waters from the gathering of the waters in Kezovica is 42.82 Mache units (ME), and from Ldzi is 11.57ME.Based on this, the spa Kezovica is one of the most radioactive spas in Europe.
The increased radioactivity of the water in Kezovica related to that from the spring Ldzi is because of the tectonic, i. e. seismo -tectonic activity of the main fault passing by the Kezovica.This fault is principal seismic dislocation that extends from Strumica, through Kezovica and Sveti Nikole to Kumanovo.
From this arises that with analysis of the radioactivity of dipper underground waters that followed the fault lines could help in exploration of contemporary seismic activity of this terrain.

Geological exploration and exploitation of mineral raw materials
Thermal mineral waters by their nature are classified in the group of energy mineral raw materials and are goods of common interest for Macedonia.
According to the Law on Mineral Raw Materials (OGORM no.18/99 and 29/02), a DGE aimed at finding, identifying deposits of thermal mineral water, as well as evaluating their economic effects is conducted by means of a concession.
The Law on Mineral Raw Materials regulates the conditions and the manner of conducting geological explorations, as well as the conditions for exploitation of mineral raw materials situated in the ground or on its surface, concessions for geological research and concessions for exploitation of mineral raw materials, the realization, the maintenance and the utilization of geothermal waters, work safety measures, environmental protection during the exploration and the exploitation of the given area and the geological measurements and plans.

The concession for conducting DGE is issued b y t h e G o v e r n m e n t o f t h e R e p u b l i c o f
Macedonia.The Ministry of Economy, as the competent body responsible for coordination of the procedures for conducting DGE, undertakes inter-sectoral consultations with the state administration bodies with regards to the application for the concession, and primarily with the body responsible for environmental protection and water protection.
Mutual rights and obligations of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia and the concessionaire are regulated with a Concession Contract.Table 6.Chemical analysis of the underground waters -spa "Kezovica" and the wider vicinity www.intechopen.comPotential and Geochemical Characteristics of Geothermal Resources in Eastern Macedonia 313 Concession for DGE is issued by the Government of the Republic of Macedonia based on a public tender and based on the application/offer submitted by an interested legal entity or natural person.In instances when there are no interested subjects for the public tender, the concession may also be granted based on an offer, which is submitted to the Ministry of Economy.
The applications for issuing a concession is accompanied by a topographic map with a scale of 1:25.000 or 1:50.000 with drawn boundaries of the area where DGE will be conducted or where the exploitation of mineral raw materials will be carried out, as well as a proof of the right to use the results of the DGE, if there have been other prior DGE conducted in the same area The application for issuing a concession for DGE includes in particular: data of the applicant type of mineral raw material location where that particular mineral raw material is found, in this case geothermal water technical and technological explanation for the need to conduct DGE -Certificate from the Ministry of Finance -Public Revenue Office stating that the applicant has paid all its taxes -Certificate from the competent Court stating that applicant is not subject to a bankruptcy procedure.
If the area for which a concession for DGE or exploitation of mineral raw materials is being issued, is partially or completely state owned, the Government of the Republic of Macedonia at the request of the concessionaire will grant the use of that land.
A concession for DGE and for exploitation of mineral raw materials can be issued to a domestic or foreign legal entity or natural person (concessionaire) under the conditions stipulated by this Law and the Law on Concessions.
Before the approval of the concession for DGE, the Ministry of Economy will request an opinion from the competent body for environmental protection and protection of nature, the competent body for water protection, as well as other competent bodies.
The legal entity or natural person which has acquired the concession for conducting DGE automatically gains the right to receive a concession for exploitation of mineral raw materials, if the conditions for exploitation of mineral raw materials provided by this Law are fulfilled.
This right is acquired by submitting an application for receiving a concession for exploitation of mineral raw materials at least 6 months prior to the expiration of the concession for DGE.
The concession for DGE is granted for a particular location and for maximum period of 8 years, without a possibility for extension.The location for DGE or exploitation of underground waters or thermal mineral waters can not exceed 2,0 km 2 .
-Information about the legal entity or natural person to whom the approval is issued.-Mineral raw materials which are subject of the DGE - The area of the DGE with specific coordinates - The type and scope of the activities that should be performed - The deadline to start with the exploratory work and - The duration of the DGE and the deadline for the submission of a performance report on the DGE. - The holder of the Approval can not start with the DGE, unless he has resolved all property and legal issues for the area defined in the Approval for DGE.-Approval for DGE is issued within 60 days from the day when the application was submitted.
Against the decision with which the application for the approval is rejected, a complaint can be submitted within 15 days from the day of its receival, to the Committee for resolving administrative procedures of the second instance in the area of economy of the Government of the RM.
The Ministry of Economy can revoke the Approval from Article 33 of this Law, if the legal entity or natural person which is conducting the DGE doesn't start within the determined deadline or if the explorations have been stopped for more than 3 years, unless the reasons for this stoppage were of technical or economic nature, or if the holder of the Approval is not responsible for the reasons for stopping (vis major).
After the stopping or completion of the DGE it's obligatory to file a report to the Ministry of Economy, i.e. an Elaborate for the conducted explorations is being prepared, with complete documentation of the results.The results obtained with the DGE are property of the concessionaire and can be alienated for an appropriate compensation.

Exploration of geothermal waters
According to the Law on Mineral Raw Materials which also includes geothermal waters, exploitation of mineral raw materials is an act of obtaining, or releasing mineral raw materials from their natural state (in situ), including the preparatory, accompanying and consequent activities related to the exploitation of mineral row materials.Exploitation of geothermal waters is carried out in a specifically defined space, determined in accordance with the DGE report.The area for the DGE or exploitation of underground waters or geothermal water is maximum 2 km 2 .
The right of exploitation of mineral raw materials, which include geothermal waters, is obtained through the granting of a concession for exploitation of geothermal waters.
Before the concession for exploiting is issued, the Ministry of Economy, as a the body responsible for coordination of procedures for exploitation of mineral raw materials, conducts inter-sectoral consultations with other state administration bodies regarding the application for the issuance of a concession, and primarily with the competent body for protection of the environment, waters, forests and cultural heritage, as well as the competent body for transport infrastructure.
is it necessary to create a special legislation for utilization of geothermal energy, which will define all aspects involved in geological exploration and exploitation of this specific energy resources.Concessions are granted by the Government of the Republic of Macedonia, based on a submitted application.
There is a clear difference in the legislations of European countries regulating the obtaining of licenses for exploration and exploitation of the geothermal resources, as a consequence of the specific development of the legislations in general and the specificities of the geothermal resource themselves.However, the application in practice of certain provisions is common for all European countries, and the Republic of Macedonia should strive and move in this direction, as described below:

Ownership of the energy resource
Geothermal energy resources are owned by the state and can not be alienated.The ownership of the energy resource is in no form related to the ownership of the land under which the resource is located.The former means that the owner of the land has no right to obstruct any investigations or exploitation of the energy resource, regardless of the use of the land, but in the same time means fair compensation for possible damages made in the course of exploration, building the infrastructure or exploitation.The owner of the land is given priority in applying for concession for DGE or exploitation if he offers the same or approximately the same conditions as the most favourable offer, because the concessions are issued through a public tender.

Conducting of exploratory work for identification of the energy resource
The state issues Approval for DGE under strictly defined procedures and conditions only to qualified companies and institutions which have to provide technical documentation and bank guarantees, ensuring its implementation.The role of the state is to control and provide full protection of the energy resource and the environment where the exploration is carried out or to prevent speculations aimed at stopping the activities for activating the energy resource.

Exploitation of the geothermal resource
The state grants the rights for exploitation of the geothermal resource under strictly defined procedures and conditions.The license for exploitation of the energy resource entails full protection of the energy resource from excessive or improper usage.The right to control also means accepting direct responsibility to the holder of the concession i.e. the state can not issue concession for geothermal fields for which it has already issued concessions to specific users.
In the procedure for issuing concessions for exploration and exploitation, it is important to emphasize the system of dual responsibilities i.e. full protection of the rights of the state, but also the rights of the holders of the license for exploration and exploitation of the energy resource.The more they are defined by law in a clear and directly applicable manner, the more their practical application will be efficient.
All these aspects in the development of the legislation regulating the issuance of concessions for exploration and exploitation, and consequently the utilization of the geothermal energy, are mostly applied in various European countries that have a tradition in the utilization of www.intechopen.comthis specific resource and can provide useful insights for the development of a concrete legislation in the Republic of Macedonia.
The implementation of the current Law on Mineral Raw Materials in practice, as well as the taking of responsibilities as a result of the need for approximation of Macedonian with European legislations, lead to the need to draft a new Law on Mineral Raw Materials.The law proposal was drafted by the Ministry of Economy in collaboration with the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ).
The main characteristic of the new law proposal is that a much clearer systematization of the provisions is applied as compared to the existing one.Also, the proposal for adoption of the Law incorporates Directives which are indirectly transposed in this Law through the Law on Environment.
Other specific new feature of the text of the law proposal is the introduction of the National program for development and planning in the field of mineral raw materials.This National program defines the scope, goals and guidelines for the geological exploration, as well as the sustainable utilization of mineral raw materials, while respecting the specificities of different areas, the features and distribution of mineral raw materials, and the need for exploitation of mineral raw materials which are crucial for the development of the economy of the Republic of Macedonia.
The new text of the law also proposes that the rights for DGE is to be obtained through an approval that will be issued by the competent body for management of mineral raw materials (until now the right to conduct DGE was obtained through the granting of a concession for DGE).Another novelty in the law proposal is the possibility for transfer of the license for DGE another person, but under the same conditions.Also, the rights from the finished DGE can be transferred to a third person, which is in accordance with the principles of market economy.The right to exploit mineral raw materials will be obtained through the granting of a concession for exploitation of mineral raw materials.There are two ways for the granting of a concession for exploitation of mineral materials which are foreseen.The first one is through a public tender in cases which are stipulated in the National Program for Development and planning in the area of mineral raw materials, as well as when the Republic of Macedonia possess revised elaborates of conducted individual DGE.In accordance with market economy principles, the text provides full or partial transfer of the concession for exploitation of mineral raw materials under strictly defined conditions.The criteria, amount and the method of payment of the concession fees will be determined by the Government of the Republic of Macedonia, in accordance with the principles of market and open economy.
Another important new feature is the allocation of funds received from concession fees..This law proposal stipulates that half of the funds from concession fees for exploitation of mineral raw materials (which includes thermal mineral waters) are to be transferred to the Budget of the Republic of Macedonia, and the other half to the budget of the Municipality where the exploitation takes place (50%-50%).It also introduces the obligation for rehabilitation of damages caused by the operations of the entity in the course of exploitation of mineral raw materials.The main intention of the new law is to emphasis the commitment to protecting the environment.Consequently, it imposes an obligation on the performers of the DGE and exploitation of mineral raw materials to comply with the requirements of this law and the Law on Environment and it reinforces the penal policy in the area of exploitation of mineral raw materials and geothermal waters as a mineral raw material.

Conclusions
1. Geothermal energy is not a "new" and unknown source of energy in our country.The same is proven in the past with its economic benefit and it is competitive to any other kind of energy source in Macedonia.2. In eastern and eastern Macedonia, at the moment are registered over 30 springs and occurrences of mineral and thermo-mineral waters with maximum capacity of more than 1.400 l/s and evidenced deposits for exploitation of around 1.000 l/s with water temperatures from 20-79°C, with significant quantities of geothermal energy.3. The calculation of the valorization of the total balance of the geothermal exploitation reserves in eastern and south-eastern Macedonia (standing 2006) shows: maximum available power is equal to 173 MW or capacity for annual production of 1.515.480MWh/ year as heat equivalent.4. Eastern Macedonia has numerous occurrences of thermal and thermo-mineral water that are used in spas and recreational medical centers in the balneology sphere.The geothermal energy from this thermo-mineral water is used in four existing thermal spas with total yield of 250 l/s, total caloric power (heating power) of 35 MW and annual exploitation of 112.5TJ. 5. Taking in consideration that the existing production capacities are based either upon natural springs or shallow boreholes, the maximal current capacity can not give the actual picture for the real capacity of this energetic resource.Based on the existing data it is evident that if supported with relatively small investments in the already started exploration works of these potentials during the 80's of the past century, the capacity could be easily doubled.By providing bigger support it could help to increase and multiply the current capacities over 4-5 times in the next few years.Anyway, the amount of the investments needed for exploration and exploitation of geothermal water wells, points out that without direct support from the state it is not possible to enjoy the benefits of this energy.That is why the Government should treat the geothermal resources as energy of special importance.6.Further explorations of the geothermal energy above all requires changes in the attitude toward this kind of energy and the dealing with the legislation in this area, which will help to reach a higher level in the utilization of the geothermal waters.This is especially applicable for the hydro geothermal waters with temperatures lower than 40°C that still are not used as energy source.A question which could be imposed here: Is it necessary to adopt special legislation for utilization of the geothermal energy which will define all the aspects in the field of geological explorations and the utilization of this specific energetic resource.7. Future exploration works in eastern and south-eastern Macedonia should be focused in the already registered areas where there is an indications for increased terrestrial

Fig. 5 .
Fig. 5. Chart of the piesometric level of the basin in the period from 01.01.1987 -19.10.2006

Fig. 9 .
Fig. 9. Geothermal spring Ldzhi, near Shtip Hydro geothermal system Kezhovica -Ldzhi is near of Kezhovica spa at Novo Selo -Shtip.The reservoir of this hydro-geo-thermal system is built on Jurassic joint granites (Fig.10).Big part of these granites is covered with tertiary sediments of Ovchepole and Lakavichki basin (Fig.11).

Fig. 11 .
Fig. 11.Geological map of the hydro geothermal system of Kezovica Spa Kezhovica spa today uses water from two shallow wells with capacity of 4,5 l/sec with temperature of 63°C.The supplementation of the system comes from the granite, south from Shtip.The chemic ingredient of the water shows supplementation also from the filch sediments Ovche Pole.According to the type, this system belongs to the half opened hydro geothermal systems.With chemical analysis of the water in this system is from Na-CI type(Alekin,1953), and the calculate geothermometers are applying that the forecasted temperature of the tank is 100 -115 °C.

Table 4 .
The needs and the participation of every single power source in the energy balance of Macedonia