The Pros and Cons of the Rosia Montana Project
The gold mining project in the Apuseni Mountains takes thousands of protesters to the streets.
Corina Cristea, 23.09.2013, 13:07
In Bucharest, protests against the cyanide-based gold mining process in Rosia Montana continue for the fourth running week. On Saturday, close to 6 thousand young people formed a human chain around the Parliament building, and the next day 15 thousand people took to the streets of the capital city. Similar, although smaller, protests took place in other Romanian cities as well as abroad. The protests started on September 1st, after the Government decided to forward to Parliament a bill green-lighting the gold mining process in the Apuseni Mountains.
A controversial project that has been on stand-by for 15 years, it is seen by opponents as a threat for the environment and for the archaeological heritage. The technology to be used, which involves cyanides, is heavily challenged. Moreover, the protesters argue, the Roman galleries in the area would be destroyed. The 6% royalties to be paid to the Government is considered too small a price. Chamber of Deputies Speaker Valeriu Zgonea went to Rosia Montana and asked those who oppose the investment to come up with a concrete and viable solution for an area struggling with high unemployment.
Valeriu Zgonea: “What is important for us is to create jobs, which in turn may generate further jobs, to help people keep their children in school and have a decent life. Those who oppose the project should suggest solutions. What can we do for the thousands of people who live here? What chances can we give to the children in the area? How do we ensure the pensions of both those who are young and those about to retire?”
According to the representatives of the Canadian investor, Rosia Montana Gold Corporation, the investment will generate over 2,000 jobs. The Rosia Montana Gold Corporation technical director Cecilia Szentesy says the project will make Romania number 1 in Europe, with 16 tonnes of gold extracted every year. The miners in the region also support the project, and have organised rallies demanding the start of mining operations as soon as possible. Opinions are mixed within the Social Democratic Union, in power, which enjoys a 70% parliamentary majority. While the Social Democrats support the mining plan, the Liberals oppose the investment.
