It would have been the largest open-pit gold mine in Europe.
And it would have destroyed the oldest village in Romania, sinking rich national heritage beneath a cyanide-laced pool of mining waste. But thanks to the efforts of dedicated activists and local organizing, Rosia Montana is now off-limits to Canadian-based mining company Gabriel Resources and co-owner Newmont Mining.
Last week, the Romanian Supreme Court announced a decision to declare the Rosia Montana mountain with the highest gold reserves, Carnic Mountain, a cultural monument of national interest. The decision cannot be appealed, and it means that the site will remain permanently protected from gold mining.
This incredible victory represents the outcome of a long legal battle fought since 2003 by the local residents of Rosia Montana and led by community group Alburnus Maior and recent Goldman Environmental Prize winner Stephanie Roth.
Greengrants was one of the first to support their work, and our small grants arrived at a strategic moment when the campaign needed legal expertise they could otherwise not have afforded. In writing to us of her victory, Stephanie reports, “The legal battle started with Global Greengrants funding in 2003, and it allowed us to invite lawyer Andreea Szabo, who until last week represented us in this case, to come to Rosia Montana for several months to research litigation strategies with us”.
She continues, “Change takes time, and I thought that it might interest you to hear this story. On behalf of all of us here in Rosia Montana I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for kick-starting what led to last week’s landmark decision”.
And we extend this thanks to you, our supporters, who make these grants possible.
Congratulations to Stephanie and her colleagues in Rosia Montana!