Western Balkans Environment Programe

UNDP Hot Spots Project in line with the second component, Demostration and Information Sharing, on 29.04.2009 in the premises of "Klub na Pratenici", Skopje, organized Round Table to discuss issues related to the Historical Mining Pollution in Macedonia including the following:

1. Current situation with the historical mining and industrial pollution in Macedonia

2. Current national legislation and the EU approximation needs

3. National and Local capacity building needs

Present on this round table were representatives from MoEPP, Ministry of Economy, Bucim Mine, Farmakom MB Zajaca, Municipality of Radovis, Municipality of Lipkovo, consultants and consulting companies in the field of environment, professors, etc.

Mr. Vladimir Stavric, national project coordinator, said that the historical waste is remnant from the previous system, and not much attention has been given to it during the period of privatization and issuance of concessions for mining operations.

Mr. Nikolajco Nikolov, deputy general manager, said that Bucim Mine belongs to one of the Hot Spot categories and it is considered as historical environmental pollutant, before adding that as water pollutant, Bucim has been considered since the very opening stages of its operation due to non appropriate projecting of mining waste disposal, and the air  is being polluted as a result of the fine tailings and the winds that are common for this area, which blows the fine dust in the air.

Ms. Lendita Dika, MoEPP State advisor, held presentation on the legal framework on historical pollution and liability issues in the field of environment in the positive legislation, and said that the EU Directives have been transpondered but the implementation of the directives is going too slowly.

Mr. Jeton Kuci, Ministry of Economy, presented procedure for issuing concession for detailed geological  research and exploatation of minerals and mining waste management.

Ms. Kaja Shukova, MoEPP, gave presentation on the CARDS 2006 project, stressing that the project was initiated by the MoEPP considering the fact that there is lack of information regarding the current state of affairs of the industrial hot spots, and the need to support the local and national authorities in the process of identifying and implementation of the strategic priorities and elimination and/or remediation of the industrial hot spots in Macedonia.

After the discussion, Mr. Stavric concluded the meeting and underlined the following needs:

- Trainings  for the representatives of MoEPP, to enable capacity building on national and local level for  IPPC and Environmental Monitoring

-  Trainings for the representatives of  Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy, for capacity building in line with the secondary legislatio- warter and soil pollution standards

- Need for harmonization of the legislation with the mining waste EU Directive

- Improvement of the situation with  information sharing and knowledge through study tours and other regional activities.