Gonnosfanadiga municipality rejects Pira Inferida mining research project

The municipality of Gonnosfanadiga in Sardinia has expressed formal opposition to the ‘Pira Inferida’ mining research project. The proposal, submitted by Raw Materials Italia s. r. l. to the Regional Industry Department, seeks authorization to explore nearly 2,000 hectares in the Monte Linas mountain system.

The research aims to identify mineralizations of copper, tungsten, bismuth, antimony, cobalt, nickel, and neodymium. While the current application is strictly for exploration, local officials, including Mayor Andrea Floris, fear that successful findings will lead to requests for full-scale mining operations.

Local administration and experts have raised concerns regarding environmental impact, specifically the potential destruction of local flora and fauna and the risk of contaminating water channels such as Rio Perda de Pibera, Rio Zairi, and Rio Piras. The municipality maintains that its development strategy focuses on environmental protection and tourism rather than industrial mining.