We note that several inaccurate claims have been made regarding the potential impact of our zinc mining operations on the environment and public health, as well as regarding the compliance of our project with Montenegrin laws and international regulations. We want to address these concerns in a transparent manner.
Information has appeared in the public that the Brskovo mine project does not comply with the Minamata Convention or Montenegrin environmental regulations, including Articles 58, 59 and 60 of the Law on Industrial Emissions and Article 49 of the Law on Environmental Protection.
The aforementioned articles of the Law on Industrial Emissions are intended for industries that produce mercury emissions, use mercury in their processes or have mercury as a component in their products. Relevant activities in Montenegro for these regulations include producers of mercury emissions, such as coal-fired thermal power plants or waste incineration plants. Mercury is emitted in these thermal processes and can potentially be harmful to human health if not managed properly. However, zinc mining, such as the proposed Brskov project, does not involve these steps or activities, and at no point is mercury emitted, used or produced in the process. These regulations do not apply to zinc mining.
The aforementioned article of the Law on Environmental Protection refers to the export of products with a mercury concentration of more than 95%. We emphasize again, this regulation does not apply to zinc mining.
The process at the Brskovo mine concentrates the ores found in the ground and separates them into zinc, lead and copper concentrates for sale to zinc, lead and copper smelters, which are the customers who buy the concentrates from the mine. The ore from Brskov contains only traces of mercury minerals, of the order of 0,003%, which will be present in those mineral concentrates. This information is contained in the Elaborate on Reserves dated January 15, 2021, which is the product of the collective professional knowledge of 17 experts in the fields of mining and geology, including 10 PhDs in these disciplines.
The zinc, lead and copper smelters that buy and process these concentrates use thermal processes to extract the metals in compliance with strict environmental legislation, including the Minamata Convention.
The International Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) was carried out with the help of the world's leading environmental engineering firm. No risks to human health or the environment have been identified for the Brskovo project. The ESIA was carried out according to strict criteria set by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), EU guidelines and all relevant Montenegrin laws, including the Law on Industrial Emissions (Official Gazette of Montenegro No. 17/2019 and 03/2023) and the Law on environmental protection (Official Gazette of Montenegro No. 052/16, 073/19).
We wish to reassure the public that, with the modern mining and processing methods to be used in our mine, which are in line with EU best available techniques, no adverse effects on public health are anticipated. Similar zinc mines that exist across the European Union, 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.
