The river Topolniza in Sredna Gora Mountain, Bulgaria, is passing near the facilities of the gold mine Chelopech, which is owned by Dundee Precious Metals. Pollution of the river with nitrite nitrogen and sulphate ions coming from the tailing pond of the mine has been recorded and reported. The electrical conductivity of the waters coming from the tailing pond to the river and their pH amplitude are very high. This is sign for heavy metals in the waters. The ore of the mine contains high concentration of arsenic.
There are no cleaning facilities or mechanisms to remedy polluted waters passing from the tailing pond of the mine to the river Topolniza. There is only a fine of 1664 BGN monthly to be paid by the firm, which is imposed by the Ministry of Environment and Waters of Bulgaria. But the company since long time is paying the fine and is doing nothing to stop the pollution.
The polluted waters are going through Topolniza to Maritza river and then to Turkey and Greece.
What measures does the Commission consider to take in order to ensure the compliance of the Bulgarian Government with the Community Legislation (notably Directive 2006/21 on the management of waste from the extractive industries and the Water Framework Directive 2000/60), especially regarding the prevention of pollution of the Topolniza River which trough the and Maritza river flows to the Thracian lowland in Bulgaria and to Turkey and Greece?
20/01/2010
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