Counter protests in Romania's gold mining project: miners trapped underground demand start of project for fear of unemployment

Almost two dozen miners are refusing to leave an abandoned mine in a demonstration to support Rosia Montana gold mining project. While thousands of people have taken to the streets of Romania’s major cities to oppose the project, 22 miners from Rosia Montana yesterday blocked themselves in an abandoned mine, demanding that the Parliament approve the venture which they say will provide them with jobs and money to support their families. The miners, all employees of Rosia Montana Gold Corporation, the company behind the much debated gold mining project, were last night (September 11) joined by several Rosia Montana villagers, participating as a show of solidarity. Several hundred people from the village and the nearby areas were expected on Thursday morning (September 12) to protest near the abandoned mine. The miners have asked for Senate president Crin Antonescu, who recently spoke publicly against the gold mining project, to come down and talk to them about the economic situation of the area, and about the planned mining project. Antonescu however said he could not meet them at Rosia Montana, but that he will meet an employees' union leader on Thursday. The miners threatened to go on hunger strike if they are not heard by the decision makers. According to unionist, the miners involved in the protest are desperate as their work contracts expire in the beginning of October, and without a decision to start the gold mining project, they will be unemployed at the same time schools will start for their children. Around 350 employees of Rosia Montana Gold Corporation are in the same situation. The mining gallery, where the 22 are protesting, was in a derelict state after the old mine in the area however it has been revamped by the company. The gallery preserves traces of the old Roman galleries and was included in the archeological research program at Rosia Montana, one of the requirements for the gold mining project to kick off. The gold mining project, which has been met with wide opposition and street protests against the use of cyanide in the mining process, is currently under debate in the Parliament, where a decision is expected on Thursday (September 12). Prime Minister Victor Ponta recently said that rejecting the project would probably wipe the Alba county, where Rosia Montana is located, off the economic map. Canadian gold mining company Gabriel Resources owns 80.7 percent of Rosia Montana Gold Corporation. The Romanian state owns the rest of the shares. The project has been blocked over the last 15 years at various stages mostly because of environmental issues. It was finally approved by the Romanian Government earlier this year, and then sent to the Parliament, which has the final say. editor@romania-insider.com