The non-governmental organization (NGO) Zagrad Montenegro, based in Nikšić, has submitted a request to Minister of Energy and Mining Admir Šahmanović demanding the immediate recultivation of the Zagrad mine.

“We urge you to swiftly initiate an inspection of the concessionaire’s commitments at the Zagrad mine site, allowing for the preparation and public disclosure of the recultivation study. It is essential to activate all institutional measures to rehabilitate the severely affected area and safeguard the environment, public health, and infrastructure,” states the letter addressed to Šahmanović.

The request highlights that the concessionaire, “Uniprom Metali,” is mandated, per Article 15 of the Concession Agreement, to restore areas where bauxite extraction has concluded and to repair the public roads damaged by mining activities.

“Addressing other urgent issues is also critical, such as unstable slopes, mining dust proliferation, and overall environmental degradation. The Citizens’ Association from the locality near the Zagrad mine, operating in the Župa Nikšićka region, has frequently raised these concerns. Last year, the Ministry of Energy and Mining assured us in a phone call they would visit the site promptly to produce the necessary report for the recultivation study, promising further communication with the Association,” notes the request signed by Ivan Đurović, executive director of Zagrad Montenegro.

He emphasized that no actions have materialized since, and the Zagrad mine continues to epitomize institutional neglect—from local authorities to the Municipality of Nikšić, and including the concessionaire and relevant state bodies.

“We remind you that former Minister Saša Mujović publicly committed to addressing this issue. At that time, he mentioned that the Government’s September 2023 decision had halted mining at the site, thus creating a pathway for recultivation under Article 15 of the Concession Agreement. Unfortunately, no progress has been made since then. Among the mining pits in Župa, the Zagrad mine is uniquely positioned near a populated area, causing significant adverse effects on the daily lives of the local residents. The environmental damage, combined with heightened risk to safety, poses potential health hazards to the community,” Đurović pointed out.

The letter to the minister also mentions that a heavily trafficked road runs next to and partly through the mine, frequently used by tourists during summer, leading to a highly negative perception due to the devastated landscape. This situation reflects the state’s lack of regard for the area and harms Montenegro’s image as a tourist destination.

“Residents face serious daily risks from landslides, unstable terrain, and mining dust. Additionally, the area has become a hotspot for illegal waste dumping, including animal waste, which compromises health and pollutes local soil and groundwater in a residential zone. Without prompt reclamation efforts, the Zagrad mine will continue to symbolize systemic neglect, akin to the Bunić mine and other sites in Župa that have been abandoned for years. Unrestored areas will be critically vulnerable to further illegal waste disposal, exacerbating the problem,” cautions Đurović, expressing hope that the minister will recognize the urgency of these issues and take decisive action in accordance with Montenegrin law and the concessionaire’s obligations.

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