The Basic Prosecutor’s Office in Pljevlja has initiated a case concerning an environmental incident that occurred approximately two weeks ago at the Šuplja stijena Mine in the mining settlement of Šula, when wastewater was released from the flotation landfill.

“A case has been initiated before the Basic State Prosecutor’s Office in Pljevlja regarding the incident you inquired about, and necessary measures are being undertaken to ascertain all facts and circumstances required to determine if any actions amount to a criminal offense subject to prosecution,” responded the Basic State Prosecutor’s Office (ODT) to the inquiry from “Vijesti” regarding progress made on one of Montenegro’s largest environmental incidents.

The ODT did not clarify whether they have interrogated individuals responsible at the Šuplja stijena Mine. They also did not address whether the Mine’s management reported the incident to the relevant authorities, nor if it constitutes a criminal offense for failing to do so.

Recently, a sinkhole appeared at the Šuplja stijena mine’s landfill, drawing in waste from the flotation tailings pond. The incident was uncovered days later when the SRK “Lipljen” fish protection service received photographs and recordings, substantiating concerns of potentially significant environmental damage caused by the spillage of chemically infused wastewater.

EMERGENCY MEASURES NOT FOLLOWED?

The inspection has also been notified of the incident.

A few days later, the Badanj spring in Jelice, located below the Šuplja stijena Mine, became discolored, suspected to have originated from the flotation landfill.

According to unofficial reports from “Vijesti”, the Environmental Inspection found that “Gradir Montenegro”, the company operating the Šuplja stijena Mine, failed to implement measures outlined in the Environmental Impact Assessment Study, which specified actions to be taken in case of an accident at the flotation tailings pond.

Due to this non-compliance, a request has been submitted against the legal entity to initiate misdemeanor proceedings with the relevant court.

The Environmental Inspection has filed a request with the Environmental Protection Agency to initiate proceedings concerning damage or an imminent threat of damage to the environment related to the flotation tailings pond incident.

The inspection notes that it is too early to assess the consequences of the incident, as water analysis from the Ćehotina is still ongoing, but currently, there is no information regarding fish mortality.

CAUTION IN BOSNIA

In light of the environmental incident, the Public Health Institute of the Bosnian-Podrinje Canton of Goražde and the Public Utility Company “6. mart” from Goražde have advised residents to exercise caution when using water from the Drina River. They announced that preliminary analyses of water samples showed no deviations from the prescribed limits, but precautionary measures remain in place due to potential heavy metal pollution of the Drina River. Citizens are advised not to use tap water for drinking, cooking, or food preparation, reserving it only for technical purposes.

The Ćehotina River feeds into the Drina River, which supplies the Goražde water system via the Vitkovići water intake.

LANDFILL “AS PER REGULATIONS”

Director of the Šuplja stijena Mine in Šula, Petar Vranes, previously stated to “Vijesti” that the ground beneath the landfill had subsided in a limited area, causing water to leak.

He asserts that they did not contribute to or could not have influenced the ground’s settling under the landfill, claiming such fissures have occurred in Šula in the past.

“I assert that the landfill was constructed in compliance with all regulations relevant to this area. The terrain was compacted, and a foil was laid down. What transpired will be assessed by authorities, but I maintain that we did not influence the occurrence of ground subsidence under the landfill, resulting in openings through which water flowed,” stated Vranes.

He noted that grayish water had subsequently appeared in the Bezdan spring, and authorities would investigate whether it originated from the landfill.

The Šuplja stijena Mine has been historically associated with the pollution of the Mjednički stream, a tributary of the Ćehotina River.

The Mjednički stream continuously adversely affects the Ćehotina River, manifesting in alterations to fish populations and bottom-dwelling organisms up to five kilometers downstream from its confluence. This was previously highlighted by CETI experts in a report assessing the environmental conditions surrounding the “Šuplja stijena” lead and zinc mine in Şula and the state of the Mjednički stream ecosystem.

“The Mjednički stream negatively impacts the Ćehotina River since it is derived from water leaking out of abandoned mine shafts. Significant adverse impacts are likely when there is a large inflow of water from collapsed pits harboring underground lakes, leading to substantial entry of chemically compromised water into the Ćehotina River through the Mjednički stream,” reads a report previously published by “Vijesti”.

The report also notes that the Mjednički stream is entirely devoid of visible life both above and following the ore flotation plant…

News