Information Portal

FACT:
The Protected Areas Act does not contain an explicit prohibition on carrying out mining activities in protected zones when an environmental impact assessment has been conducted. Therefore, the claim that such activities are absolutely inadmissible is false.

FACT:
The issue of water resources has not been left unresolved, but has been placed among the main topics in the EIA report. Extremely strict measures are envisaged to prevent water shortages, the leading one being the recycling of used water. This is a clear sign that the project has been developed with a specific focus on the protection and sustainable management of water resources.

FACT:
The claim that the village of Rozino will be left without water for drinking and household needs is false. The village is supplied with water from a catchment source, not from the watershed of Arpa Dere, from which water abstraction for the project is planned. Therefore, it is not the same water source.

FACT:
The claim that the project will lead to the drying up of the Byala River is false. The project does not envisage water abstraction from the Byala River, but from Arpa Dere, and only during periods of high water. The planned quantities are designed in such a way that the ecological water balance of the stream is preserved, which rules out the suggestion of the drying up of the Byala River.

FACT:
The claim that the Byala River will be polluted with hazardous chemicals is false. The classification and categorization of the substances and mixtures used in the production process under the Environmental Protection Act clearly show that the site does not fall into the category of an enterprise or facility with accident hazard potential.This means zero danger of pollution of the Byala River.

FACT:
The claim that the project will lead to the drying up and pollution of the Erythropotamos River is false. The project does not envisage water abstraction from the Byala River, and in addition zero discharge of contact waters from the mining waste facility is envisaged. This excludes the possibility of pollution or drying up of the Erythropotamos River

FACT:
According to the register of the National Archaeological Institute with Museum at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, no cultural and historical sites have been identified within the scope of the investment proposal. Nevertheless, as an additional guarantee, an archaeological survey of the territory of the investment proposal is envisaged before the start of construction of the mining complex.

FACT:
As a result of the planned activities under the investment proposal, no risk of pollution of water, soil, and air has been identified. On the contrary, the project creates an opportunity for real benefits for the local population through new jobs, development of sustainable businesses related to the project, and significant improvement of the local infrastructure. The concession payment due under the project is divided proportionally between the state and municipal budgets. In practice, this means secure revenue directly for the municipality of Ivaylovgrad for the years of development, which will raise the standard and quality of life in the region.

FACT:
All mining facilities, including those for mining waste, are designed with maximum protection against the leakage of pollutants into the soil layer. In addition, it has been proven that the stored waste is acid-neutral and there is no danger of acid contamination.

FACT:
The control of dust emissions from blasting and transport activities is examined in detail in the EIA report, and a number of measures are envisaged to limit it, including specialized coverings during blasting operations and constant watering of the mine roads.

FACT:
On the contrary, the project is associated with specific long-term benefits for the municipality of Ivaylovgrad. During its implementation, the creation of over 250 permanent jobs is envisaged, and the related activities will be assigned with priority to local subcontractors. The creation of a Fund to support local business is also envisaged, following the example of Krumovgrad, which will finance business initiatives and support the sustainable development of the local community even after the closure of the mine.

FACT:
This suggestion is false. After the end of mining activities, the land is not intended to be abandoned; on the contrary — significant funds have been allocated for the full reclamation of the affected areas. In addition, ideas and projects for their subsequent improvement are being discussed, which shows that a clear approach to the restoration of the land after the end of the activities has already been envisaged at this stage.

FACT:
Arsenic and mercury are not “added” substances, but natural elements that occur in the Earth’s crust and are often associated with ore minerals. Their mere presence does not automatically mean risk. The real risk depends on the chemical form in which they are found, in what concentration they are present, and under what conditions they may have an impact. In the case of the “Rozino” deposit, arsenic and mercury are associated with the natural geochemical conditions of the gold mineralization and represent insignificant inclusions in the main mineral — pyrite. During flotation, this pyrite, together with the components included in it (gold, silver, copper, zinc, arsenic, mercury content practically absent), is extracted at over 90% into the pyrite concentrate.

FACT:
The project категорично does not envisage the use of cyanides. The planned method for extracting the useful component from the ore is flotation, with pyrite concentrate as the final product, and cyanidation is excluded as a method for processing the concentrate within the scope of the investment proposal.