The non-governmental organization (NGO) Zagrad Montenegro from Nikšić has sent a request to the Minister of Energy and Mining Admir Šahmanović for the urgent recultivation of the Zagrad mine.
"We request that you urgently initiate inspection supervision over the implementation of the concessionaire's obligations at the Zagrad mine site, to enable the preparation and public presentation of the recultivation study, and to initiate all institutional mechanisms to finally rehabilitate the devastated area and ensure the protection of the environment, the health of citizens, and public infrastructure," the request to Šahmanović reads.
In the request, they recalled that the concessionaire, the company "Uniprom Metali", was obliged, in accordance with Article 15 of the Concession Agreement, to rehabilitate the areas where bauxite exploitation had been completed, as well as to rehabilitate public roads that were devastated because they extend through the mine.
"It is also necessary to eliminate a number of other problems that manifest themselves in the form of cuts, unstable slopes, the spread of mining dust and general degradation of the area. The Citizens' Association from the settlement near the Zagrad mine, which operates in the territory of Župa Nikšićka, has repeatedly publicly pointed out these problems. Last year, the then Ministry of Energy and Mining said in a telephone conversation that they would go to the field as soon as possible in order to prepare the report necessary for the preparation of the recultivation study. It was also promised at that time that the Association would be informed of further steps," states the request signed by the executive director of Zagrad Montenegro, Ivan Đurović.
As he pointed out, nothing has been implemented, and the Zagrad mine still "remains a symbol of institutional carelessness - both on the part of the local community and the Municipality of Nikšić, as well as on the part of the concessionaire and the competent state institutions."
"We recall that the former Minister of Energy and Mining, Saša Mujović, publicly promised to actively engage in solving this problem. On that occasion, he pointed out that the Government's decision from September 2023 stopped the exploitation process at the current mine, which automatically created the conditions for recultivation, in accordance with Article 15 of the Concession Agreement. However, nothing has been done since then. Of all the mining pits in the territory of Župa, the Zagrad mine is the only one located in the immediate vicinity of a populated area, which is why its devastation has a multiple negative impact on the daily life of the local population. In addition to the damaged environment and reduced security, this situation also has potentially harmful consequences for the health of residents," Đurović pointed out.
As stated in the request to the relevant minister, the road that passes nearby and partially through the mine itself is used by a large number of tourists, especially during the summer months, so "the ambient and visual impression that such a devastated area leaves on visitors is extremely negative, and the overall picture reflects the state's lack of care for this area and damages the reputation of Montenegro as a tourist destination."
"There are daily and serious dangers for residents and passers-by in the form of landslides, unstable slopes and the presence of wind-blown mining dust. The area has already become a target for illegal waste disposal, including animal waste, which further endangers the health of people and animals, pollutes the soil and groundwater, all within the populated area. If urgent reclamation is not carried out, the Zagrad mine will remain a symbol of systemic neglect, just as is the case with the Bunić mine and other sites in Župa, which have been abandoned for decades. The unreclaimed area will be additionally exposed to illegal disposal of municipal and potentially hazardous waste, which will further worsen the situation," warns Đurović, convinced that the minister will recognize the seriousness of the problem and urgently take concrete steps, in accordance with the laws of Montenegro and the obligations of the concessionaire.
Bonus video:
