site.btaEnvironment Ministry Will Insist on Addressing Recommendations in Bosilegrad Mines Report, Protesters Call for Minister's Resignation

The Environment Ministry issued an opinion on an investment proposal for the development of the lead, zinc and copper mines "Podvirovi" and "Popovica" in the region of Karamanica, Bosilegrad. The Environment Ministry will insist that all recommendations are addressed and that a public discussion is held in Bulgaria.

Earlier in the week, a public discussion was held in Bosilegrad, Serbia.

The environmental impact assessment does not consider in detail the possible effects across the border, including the effect on surface water, groundwater and protected zones in the catchment area of the Dragovsjtitsa River on the territory of Bulgaria, says the Environment Ministry. The report does not identify measures to eliminate the possible effects on the environment. A positive assessment of the eligibility of the investment proposal cannot be granted both in terms of the environment and health, the Ministry says.

Earlier on Friday representatives of the Balkanka Association and the Western Outskirts Civic Committee gathered in front of the building of the Environment Ministry to demand the resignation of caretaker Minister Petar Dimitrov because of "yet another inaction" on the part of the Ministry with regard to what is happening in Serbia. There are two active mines in the Bosilegrad region, which are now expanded and another one is developed, Dimitar Kumanov from the Balkanka Association told BTA. The Podvirovi mine, which poses the biggest problem for the region, is for the extraction of lead, zinc and copper. Another mine, "Popovica", will be opened of the same investor, he said. He added that there is another mine, "Grot", above Bosilegrad, which poses a threat to Lisinsko Lake, which, according to Kumanov, is turning into a tailings pond. Balkanka fears that the tailings pond may be drained into the tributaries of the Dragovsjtitsa and will reach Bulgaria.

Kumanov said he did not accept the opinion of the Environment Ministry.