Đukanović: A large number of cancerous diseases have been identified in Mojkovac as a result of mining activities

The project "Development of options for the remediation of the contaminated site of the former Brskovo mine in Montenegro" leads to the establishment of sustainable solutions for the management of contaminated areas and environmental protection, as well as the long-term reduction of the impact of mining activities on nature and human health.

This was announced, as reported by PR Center, at a press conference of the Environmental Protection Agency, on the occasion of the presentation of the project, which the Agency is implementing with the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northern Development, the Institute of Public Health and the Ecological Movement OZON.

The Director of the Environmental Protection Agency, Milan Gazdić, assessed that the Agency is committed to improving and preserving natural resources through sustainable policies, scientifically based approaches and cooperation with all relevant stakeholders, through a vision of a future in which environmental standards guarantee the health and well-being of all citizens.

"I thank the project partners - the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northern Development, the Institute of Public Health and the NGO Ozon - for their past and future cooperation. Their professional knowledge and experience will significantly contribute to the implementation of all planned activities at the highest professional level," said Gazdić.

According to him, mercury pollution represents a serious environmental and health problem, and significant amounts of mercury have been identified in the soil in the area of ​​the former Brskovo lead and zinc mine.

"During the implementation of the project, we will also examine other environmental segments. Our project will enable a detailed assessment of contamination and propose effective remediation measures to reduce risks to the environment and the health of the local population. The project will last 36 months. This is an opportunity to improve the monitoring and remediation system of this contaminated site through scientifically based analyses and a multidisciplinary approach, in accordance with the best global practices and European standards," Gazdić assessed.

He added that the project is a step towards more responsible and sustainable management of natural resources and the protection of public health.

State Secretary at the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northern Development, Zoran Dabetić, said that the three-year project leads to the establishment of sustainable solutions for the management of polluted areas and environmental protection, as well as the long-term reduction of the impact of mining activities on human health and the environment.

"Mining activities can have long-term consequences for the environment, but before we draw final conclusions, it is important to conduct a thorough analysis, in order to define the best sustainable steps for the future based on scientific data," said Dabetić.

He added that pollution assessment methods will be developed to accurately understand the scope and scale of the problem, as well as the long-term consequences for the local community and the wider environment.

"One of the main goals of this project is to develop a conceptual solution for the remediation and recultivation of the contaminated area, which includes researching possibilities for minimizing risks to human health and the environment," said Dabetić.

Montenegro, he said, currently does not have a specific Law on Land Protection, and the project represents an opportunity to fill that gap and lay the foundations for a future common legislative framework.

"Soil health is key to preserving natural resources, biodiversity, and sustainable economic development. We will work to develop a legal framework that will be aligned with European standards. Our ministry fully supports the efforts of the Environmental Protection Agency, as well as all institutions involved in the implementation of the project," said Dabetić.

He believes that the results of the project will be significant and long-term, as it will enable harmonisation with European standards in the field of soil protection, and on the other hand, it will contribute to strengthening local capacities for monitoring and managing pollution.

"We can hope to achieve results in reducing the ecological footprint of mining activities, as well as improving the quality of life," believes Dabetić.

Assistant Director of the Institute of Public Health, Ivana Joksimović, assessed that the importance of participation in the project is multiple, both from the perspective of public health protection, and in the context of collecting data that can help shape environmental protection and health preservation policies.

"Involving the population in research helps measure the levels of toxic substances, such as mercury, in blood and urine, and this data allows for the determination of exposure levels, as well as the identification of potential risk groups. In the environment, mercury can be contained in minerals in harmless amounts and as such does not pose a significant risk. The problem arises during human activity, when significant amounts of mercury are released into the environment, where it remains freely circulating for thousands of years," explained Joksimović.

Mercury contained in water and soil is, as she pointed out, the main cause for concern, because it is found in this medium in a highly toxic form, and animals can easily ingest it, thus entering the human and food chains.

"We expect the project to identify health risks associated with contamination from the former mine as a basis for establishing effective measures to mitigate exposure, improve health outcomes, and ensure sustainable environmental management," said Joksimović.

The director of the NGO Ozon, Aleksandar Perović, believes that the essence of the project is to obtain a result that will serve to improve the situation.

"I hope that we will be more in the field, that we will manage to include young people who have completed their studies at the University of Montenegro. We need to employ young people who have theoretical knowledge, but have not had practice in the field. I welcome the project, I hope for good results and I believe that during these three years we will have the opportunity to share what we have done in the field," said Perović.

Project coordinator Gordana Đukanović is certain that the most important activities are those that need to be implemented after the project ends, because if the activities do not continue, the project will not have full meaning.

"Activities that need to be implemented after the completion of the project are the development of the main project for the remediation and recultivation of the contaminated area, remediation and recultivation of the contaminated area, and valorization of the newly created value," said Đukanović.

She emphasized that a large number of cases of cancerous diseases in Mojkovac have been identified as a result of mining activities.

Đukanović explained that the first step is a Study, the development of which will involve experts from Montenegro and young staff.

"Our goal is to conduct a comprehensive analysis and identification of the level of pollution in this area. This will be the basis for developing a conceptual solution and proposals based on the results of the first component. I hope that we will present a conceptual solution and a conceptual design for solving this problem," said Đukanović.

She added that the project budget is around 274 thousand dollars.

The project is being implemented with the support of the Specific International Programme of the Minamata Convention on Mercury.