Mining and mineral exploitation face legal scrutiny in Bosnia and Montenegro

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, environmental inspectors have issued a ban on coal exploitation to the company ‘Drvo export’ from Teslić. The action follows a court ruling regarding illegal works at the ‘Bukova kosa’ site near Prijedor. Local residents have reported ongoing issues with dust, noise, and water quality despite a Supreme Court decision that had previously annulled the coal research concession.

In Montenegro, the Geological Institute has initiated a review of previous decisions concerning the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources in the Bijelo Polje municipality. This review, prompted by the NGO ‘Euromost’, targets several concessionaires including ‘Bemaks’, ‘Konstruktorgroup’, and ‘Imperijal’. The investigation seeks to determine if local authorities acted within their legal jurisdiction regarding environmental impact assessments, a matter previously subject to rulings by the Administrative Court of Montenegro and investigations into potential abuse of office.