Adrian Bălțeanu, advisor to the Minister of Culture for Heritage issues, stated that the entire locality of Roșia Montană, within a 2 km radius, has been declared a historical monument of national interest. “On such a site, any mining exploitation is excluded,” added Adrian Bălțeanu.
The decision represents a new blow for the company Gabriel Resources, which intended to extract approximately 300 tons of gold and 1,400 tons of silver from Roșia Montană over a 16-year period, using 12,000 tons of cyanide per year.
According to experts, this project presents pollution risks and risks destroying a series of mining galleries dating back to the Roman era, which are unique in Europe.
History professor Ioan Piso, one of the opponents of the project announced by Gabriel Resources, stated that Roșia Montană was on the list of historical monuments until 2004, when the site was removed from this list, one of the many illegalities that took place during this project.
Contacted by AFP, representatives of Gabriel Resources did not wish to comment on the decision of the authorities in Bucharest.
After waiting 15 years for an authorization from the Ministry of Environment that would have allowed it to start work, in July last year, the Canadian company announced that it had initiated international arbitration proceedings in the Roșia Montană case to seek compensation due to “multiple violations of investment treaties.”
Source: Economica
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the national monument status mean for Roșia Montană?
This status prohibits any mining exploitation within a 2 km radius of the locality to protect its cultural and historical heritage.
Why is the Gabriel Resources project controversial?
The project proposed using large amounts of cyanide for extraction, posing significant pollution risks and threatening unique Roman-era mining galleries.
What is the current legal status of the dispute?
The Canadian company has initiated international arbitration against Romania, seeking damages for the alleged violation of investment treaties following the project’s blockage.