Description
More and more gold-mining projects are planned in Romania. With 68 gold deposits identified, Romania is at risk of a rapid expansion for open pit mining projects, based on cyanide technologies. In this context, mining is an industry with a very high-stake for the public politics and financial markets, but mostly for the communities and ecosystems directly affected. The 'Mining Watch’ project is designed to support NGOs and local initiative groups in order to increase the associations' capacity to undertake advocacy activities, creating a network of partners that shares resources, experiences and expertize. It will also support the participation of three local communities in the decision- making process and will work on balancing the information sources for the public. The project brings together civil society, affected communities, the general public interested in the mining sector, and regulators having the following direct results: 140,000 people informed about the impact of mining projects on communities and ecosystems, 700 locals engaged in specific advocacy and decision-making processes and 50,000 people briefed through social media.
Summary of project results
The project “Mining Watch Romania” aimed to strengthen local community groups and NGOs’ efforts to monitor, plan and intervene in relation to the approval and development of large scale mining projects in Romania. The project was essential in order to create mechanisms, tools and strategies that had an impact in decision-making processes and to create public awareness regarding the un-transparent and undemocratic development of the mining industry in Romania. Constant meetings with local groups, court cases, informative events, distribution of materials, joint advocacy campaigns and continuous strategic campaign planning were put in practice in four communities potentially affected by large scale mining projects – Certej, Rovina, Baita-Craciunesti and Baia Mare. The decision-making processes for all these mining projects are now constantly monitored and judicial bodies have been notified to irrevocably annul and suspend important permit obtained by the mining company for mining activities in Certej. The Mining Watch network often met with governmental officials and members of Parliament in order to discuss the impact of using cyanide in mining activities. Therefore, a law proposal for banning the use of cyanide in mining activities is under discussion. Over 100,000 citizens were constantly informed and invited to take action through the project's Facebook page and website, press releases, newsletters, ESRI presentations (story maps) as well as printed materials. Thousands of citizens are substantially more informed and involved in critical issues related to mining policies. Decision-makers and investors were constantly approached and informed about their potential negative effects of the proposed gold mines in Romania and were confronted with their administrative or economic decisions.
Summary of bilateral results