Romania seeks consultations on Serbian mining expansion near border

A Romanian minister has requested consultations from Serbian authorities regarding the reopening of copper and gold mines within the Serbia Zijin Copper complex near Majdanpek. The mining sites are located approximately 11 kilometers from the Romanian border.

According to reports, Romania has sent two inquiries to Belgrade seeking information on the project's impact on human health and environmental mitigation measures. There are concerns that a transboundary environmental impact assessment, required by the Espoo Convention, was not conducted prior to the commencement of works.

The planned complex is expected to include a 126-square-kilometer spatial plan covering the territories of Bor and Zaječar, a new Malka Golaja mine, a 1,900-hectare tailings dam, and a smelter. Environmental advocates note that wastewater from the complex would flow into the Timok River and eventually into the Danube, near the border of Bulgaria and Romania.