News
[Press release] Chelopech gold mine plans frozen, campaigners call for cyanide leaching to be binned
(January 26, 2010)
An announcement from Dundee Precious Metals that it is freezing plans on its investment at the Chelopech gold and copper mine in central Bulgaria because of ongoing legal challenges has been welcomed by the Cyanide-free Bulgaria coalition.
As reported in the Bulgarian media yesterday, Dundee's announcement comes after more than five years of problems and controversies surrounding the Canadian company's plans to introduce cyanide leaching technologies in order to extract gold at the Chelopech mine.
With the legal appeals process concerning permits for stage two of the Chelopech mine development expected to last upwards of two years, the Cyanide-free Bulgaria coalition has written to Dundee Precious Metals, encouraging the company to use this hiatus period to conduct further research into technologies safer than cyanide and to carry out improved public consultations.
As reported in the Bulgarian media yesterday, Dundee's announcement comes after more than five years of problems and controversies surrounding the Canadian company's plans to introduce cyanide leaching technologies in order to extract gold at the Chelopech mine.
With the legal appeals process concerning permits for stage two of the Chelopech mine development expected to last upwards of two years, the Cyanide-free Bulgaria coalition has written to Dundee Precious Metals, encouraging the company to use this hiatus period to conduct further research into technologies safer than cyanide and to carry out improved public consultations.
[Press release] Bulgarian parliament hears the anti-cyanide concerns of thousands
(January 21, 2010)
Today at the Bulgarian parliament's Petitions Committee three public petitions related to controversial mining initiatives were heard, in a process described by 'Cyanide Free Bulgaria' campaigners as “encouraging and not before time.”
Two of the petitions - one of 14 400 signatures supporting a legally binding cyanide ban across Bulgaria, the other 'For a clean Maritza River' aiming to prevent industrial pollution from mining - had been overlooked for two years, but following re-submission to the Petitions Committee in November last year were finally granted a hearing in the committee.
Daniel Popov, Bankwatch national coordinator in Bulgaria and member of the Cyanide Free Bulgaria coalition, said: “The fact that these petitions have been heard in the Bulgarian parliament's committee at all represents good progress for the thousands of people and hundreds of communities across Bulgaria that face the prospect of mining involving lethal chemicals taking place in their areas, next to their water sources, and usually without consultation.
Two of the petitions - one of 14 400 signatures supporting a legally binding cyanide ban across Bulgaria, the other 'For a clean Maritza River' aiming to prevent industrial pollution from mining - had been overlooked for two years, but following re-submission to the Petitions Committee in November last year were finally granted a hearing in the committee.
Daniel Popov, Bankwatch national coordinator in Bulgaria and member of the Cyanide Free Bulgaria coalition, said: “The fact that these petitions have been heard in the Bulgarian parliament's committee at all represents good progress for the thousands of people and hundreds of communities across Bulgaria that face the prospect of mining involving lethal chemicals taking place in their areas, next to their water sources, and usually without consultation.
[Highlight] New ban on cyanide mining in Hungary gives hope across the region
(December 22, 2009)
A ban on all cyanide-based mining technologies on Hungarian territory that was passed by 356 votes in favour to one vote against in Hungary's parliament earlier this month has strengthened hopes of other national bans - even a Europe-wide ban - ahead of the tenth anniversary of the Baia Mare disaster next month.
The Baia Mare spill involved millions of gallons of polluted liquid and waste containing around 100 tonnes of cyanide and various heavy metals that travelled through the rivers of Romania, Hungary and Yugoslavia, wreaking major health and economic damage, eventually reaching the major waterway of the Danube.
A new Bankwatch report on the impacts of EBRD-financed gold mining projects recommends the bank “not to finance cyanide projects in countries with ineffective regulation, including capacities for handling large scale accidents.” When it comes to cyanide use, the question remains: is any country in central and eastern Europe equipped to deal with this poison?
The new Bankwatch video clip above presents the effects of mining in the Armenian village of Geganush and calls on the EBRD to do more to address pollution, resettlement and compensation issues for affected communities such as Geganush.
The Baia Mare spill involved millions of gallons of polluted liquid and waste containing around 100 tonnes of cyanide and various heavy metals that travelled through the rivers of Romania, Hungary and Yugoslavia, wreaking major health and economic damage, eventually reaching the major waterway of the Danube.
A new Bankwatch report on the impacts of EBRD-financed gold mining projects recommends the bank “not to finance cyanide projects in countries with ineffective regulation, including capacities for handling large scale accidents.” When it comes to cyanide use, the question remains: is any country in central and eastern Europe equipped to deal with this poison?
The new Bankwatch video clip above presents the effects of mining in the Armenian village of Geganush and calls on the EBRD to do more to address pollution, resettlement and compensation issues for affected communities such as Geganush.
[Press release] New report: EU Copenhagen ambitions hampered by fossil-heavy lending at EU's public bank
(December 2, 2009)
A new report from CEE Bankwatch Network has found that the energy sector lending of the European Union's bank, the European Investment Bank (EIB), is not contributing to EU efforts to pledge a credible 20 percent cut in greenhouse gas emissions at the upcoming UN climate conference in Copenhagen.
The report - 'Change the lending, not the climate' - reveals that between 2002 and 2008 the EIB loaned EUR 18 billion in support of oil, gas and coal projects. It also identifies that the small rise in the EIB's renewable energy investments since 2006 has been largely nullified in climate terms by a sharper rise since 2006 in the bank's loans for gas power plants, pipelines and liquified natural gas terminals.
While the EIB’s still incomplete energy lending record in 2009 is shaping up to be more favourable for renewable investments, the carbon footprint of past and current EIB loans persists in undermining EU climate and energy targets, according to the public funder watchdog group.
The report - 'Change the lending, not the climate' - reveals that between 2002 and 2008 the EIB loaned EUR 18 billion in support of oil, gas and coal projects. It also identifies that the small rise in the EIB's renewable energy investments since 2006 has been largely nullified in climate terms by a sharper rise since 2006 in the bank's loans for gas power plants, pipelines and liquified natural gas terminals.
While the EIB’s still incomplete energy lending record in 2009 is shaping up to be more favourable for renewable investments, the carbon footprint of past and current EIB loans persists in undermining EU climate and energy targets, according to the public funder watchdog group.
