Environmental Chaos in Šuplja Stijena: Mine Pollutes Rivers While Authorities Stay Silent!
For nearly three weeks now, the lead and zinc mine Šuplja Stijena near Pljevlja has been causing an environmental disaster. Wastewater from the flotation tailings pond spilled into a sinkhole and ended up in the Badanja spring, which feeds the Ćehotina River, which in turn flows into the Drina River. Although the incident was discovered thanks to fishermen, authorities remained silent for days, and water analyses are still ongoing.
Pollution Threatening the Entire Region
The water in the Mjednički stream, which flows near the mine, has shown signs of heavy metal pollution for years. This stream has become a constant source of pressure on the Ćehotina river ecosystem, with changes observed in fish species and microorganisms. After the latest incident, the water at the Badanja spring was grayish with a strong chemical smell, indicating serious contamination.
Authorities in Panic or at a Dead End?
The Basic State Prosecutor’s Office in Pljevlja has initiated proceedings, and the environmental inspection found that the company Gradir Montenegro, which operates the mine, did not implement the prescribed environmental protection measures. The mine director, Petar Vraneš, did not respond to media calls, and the public was informed about the incident only days later.
Fishermen and Activists Raise Their Voices
Fishermen from SRK “Lipljen” warn that the riverbed is covered with gray sludge, threatening plant and animal life. Activists from NGO Breznica accuse the authorities of hypocrisy and inaction, claiming that legal obligations have been ignored for years and natural resources destroyed. They say the greatest danger is not only the polluter but also those who know about the problem and do nothing.
How Many Tons of Poison Have Already Been Deposited?
According to official data, over 3 million tons of flotation tailings have been deposited at the Šuplja Stijena tailings pond. Although phase II of the tailings pond is closed and undergoing reclamation, the mine is not conducting reclamation at a satisfactory level, which is a legal obligation.
What Awaits Us If No Action Is Taken?
If urgent measures are not taken, the pollution could have incalculable consequences for the Drina river ecosystem, an important watercourse for the region. This is not just a local problem but a regional one, as polluted waters spread downstream. Fishermen and ecologists call for urgent action and transparency.
Authorities Still Silent, Nature Suffers
While citizens and activists fight to protect nature, the authorities and the company remain unresponsive and irresponsible. Will someone finally stop this environmental madness, or will we watch our rivers turn poisonous?
If you have similar experiences or opinions about this environmental chaos, drop a comment and share your thoughts – maybe together we can wake up those sleeping on the job!
This is just the tip of the iceberg of environmental problems in Montenegro. Is this the price of mining development?
