October 3rd, 2012, Rosia Montana – This morning ten environmental activists chained themselves to Victoria Palace gate demanding for the Government’s immediate action to stop cyanide-based mining projects in Romania. The protest comes after the regional authorities issued the environmental permit for the Certej mine. Messages like “Cyanide rules in Ponta’s Administration”, “Cyanide-free Certej”, „Romania doesn’t taste cyanide” were displayed in front of the institution.
The Save Rosia Montana Campaign welcomes the protestars demands and considers that they should become mandatory for the Romanian authorities when evaluating any mining activity that aims to use cyanide.
The Protestars Demands for the Romanian Government
1. Ceasing forthright the authorization and approval procedures for mining projects until adopting all legislative measures and neccessary regulations ensuring: the prevention of any negative impact of cyanide use in mining industry on the population’s health and eco-systems; the assumption by all mining companies of all financial obligations against prejudices on environment and for environmental rehabilitation after closing the exploration and exploitation mining activities; the prevention of any negative impact of the mining activities on areas with archaelogically potential or the ones housing archaeological sites and historical monuments of local, national and universal importance; the prevention of any negative impact of mining activties on the integrity and environmental factors of the protected natural areas of local, national and European interest; the prevention of any breaking of citizens’ rights to property and private life and caused by mining activities;
2. Declassifying the information under the “state secret” or “activity secret” status and regarding conducting large-scale gold exploration and exploitation mining activities on Romania’s territory;
3. Ensuring the legal and institutional framework to allow public participation and consultation at all stages when decisions regarding authorizing large scale gold extraction activities, including assigning exploration and exploitation mining licenses, are taken;
4. Forthright assuming all state’s obligations to rehabilitate the environment and to economically revivify the areas affected by state conducted mining activities.
“I chose this type of protest due to the recent decision of the Romanian authorities to issue an environmental permit for cyanide gold mining in Certej. We believe that by issuing this certificate, the Romanian Government gives a positive signal to other companies that wish to use cyanide in mining operations in Romania. I want a Cyanide Free Romania, without the Rosia Montana project, without the Certej or Rovina or Baita-Craciunesti projects,” said Andrei Mocanu, one of the activists.
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http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.475248375841374.112287.464603156905896&type=1
For more information please contact Stefania Simion, mobile: 0040741137266, email: stefania@ngo.ro.