Environmental activists are raising serious concerns about the potential impact of a new lead, zinc and copper mine in Karamanica near Bosilegrad. They argue that the mine poses significant threats to both the environment and human health, particularly due to the risk of harmful substances contaminating rivers that serve as sources of drinking and irrigation water for both Serbia and Bulgaria.
The announcement of the mine’s opening has sparked protests from Bulgarian activists, leading to a negative assessment from Bulgaria’s Ministry of Environmental Protection regarding the project’s acceptability.
For the local communities around Bosilegrad, rivers like Dragovištica and its tributaries are vital. They use this water for irrigation and livestock. Residents have reported adverse effects from a pilot project at the mine, which they claim has already endangered the local aquatic life.
Ivica Zaharijev from Donje Tlamino recalls, “The stone was white, the river was white. The river used to be full of trout, but now that the flotation is not working, the trout and frogs have returned.” His neighbor, Vinko Hristov, adds, “Sometimes the river is white, and many times the cattle refuse to drink the water.”
The mine was shut down in 2022 due to pressure from environmental groups, but concerns persist. Activists argue that the tailings and waste management practices are inadequate, and that the environmental impact study is flawed and incomplete.
Ivica Arsov, an activist from the Ecological Uprising, points out, “It’s a wasteland that they supposedly protected, but during torrents, the water crosses over and pollutes the river.”
Bulgarian environmentalists also express concerns, particularly about the planned use of cyanide in ore processing and the lack of an effective wastewater treatment system. Daniela Mihajlović from Eko Surdulica explains that the Bulgarian Ministry rejected the environmental impact study due to these issues. “They suggest a closed wastewater system, but it is not feasible under these conditions,” she says.
The Bulgarian Ministry agrees with Mihajlović’s concerns, noting that wastewater cannot be indefinitely stored and must be properly managed. Arsov also emphasizes that the ministry has made it clear that the mine cannot open under the current conditions due to non-compliance with environmental standards.
Vladimir Zaharijev, the president of the Bosilegrad municipality, views the mine as a significant opportunity for the region, citing potential benefits like job creation and increased municipal income. However, he acknowledges the need to respect environmental standards. “Environmental safety must be guaranteed before any mining activities can begin,” Zaharijev told Euronews Serbia.
The local residents of Donje Tlamino support the mine’s operation but insist that it must adhere to all environmental regulations. Euronews Serbia has not received responses from Bosil-Metal, the company owning the mine, regarding their compliance with environmental standards and necessary permits.