These days, the Montenegrin public could hear several incorrect claims related to the allegedly negative consequences of the opening of the Brskovo mine, which is why the company Tara Resources, which manages this project, undertakes to provide clear and transparent information in order to eliminate all doubts.
The activities of the Brskovo mine do not require and do not envisage the construction and use of a conventional tailings pit. Instead, the tailings will be extracted and stored in a solid and stable facility with all other mineral waste, so that there is no possibility of dust generation from the tailings. These facilities are designed in accordance with the highest international standards, EU regulations and the regulatory framework of Montenegro, including stability to withstand earthquakes and floods that are likely to occur once in 10.000 years.
The Brskovo mine will have well-defined protection measures thanks to which the spread of any type of dust from the project area will be prevented. Control of the spread of dust will be ensured with the help of a system for spraying and vacuuming the dust that will be generated during the crushing process. In order to further contribute to the protection of the project area, the land embankments and walls will be greened.
What is also important to point out is that when planning the project, care was taken to ensure that there would be no negative impact on the health of the local population caused by the activities of the Brskovo mine. Safety, human health and environmental protection are key commitments, which is why we are committed to implementing best practices to ensure the protection of the local community.
In addition, the Brskovo mine will apply best practices for zinc mining. This means using modern technologies and processes that ensure efficient and responsible mining with minimal impact on the environment. Our goal is to extract zinc in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way. We have designed the flotation process so that sodium cyanide is not used, as is the practice in EU countries. Key chemical materials whose use is foreseen are lime, zinc sulfate and sodium metabisulfite - products that are used daily in households and industry.
We are fully committed to environmental protection and will not carry out activities that could lead to the emission or spread of heavy metals. Heavy metals such as mercury occur naturally in ore in very small amounts throughout the Balkan region. During the mineral processing process, these metals will be separated in a safe way without risk to health into concentrates of zinc, lead and copper. The levels of mercury and other heavy metals in our concentrates are still very low and are not subject to additional regulations.
Given that the Brskovo mine will not have a smelter, our concentrates will be sold to smelters in Europe (including France, Belgium, Germany and Spain) and around the world. As part of a process that requires the high temperature found only in smelters, mercury and arsenic will be extracted from the concentrate. These smelters are subject to the Minamata Convention on mercury.
All remaining waste will have extremely low levels of mercury and heavy metals and will be safely stored in an integrated waste management facility.
We wish to reassure the public that, with modern mining and processing methods at our mine, which are in line with the best available EU practices, no adverse effects on public health are anticipated. Similar zinc mines that exist across the EU, such as those in Greece, Ireland, Spain, Sweden and Portugal, operate successfully without negative effects on the health of local communities.
Tara Resources looks forward to continued transparent and proactive cooperation with the Government of Montenegro, the Municipality of Mojkovac, the local community and all interested parties in order to advance the development of the Brskovo project, which has the potential to bring significant economic benefits to Montenegro, while ensuring the best international practice for environmental protection. environment.
