Protests against Rosia Montana gold mine continue in Romania's capital as company behind "welcomes autumn"

As protesters against the Rosia Montana gold mining project clash with riot police and use social media to organize a fifth night of demonstrations, the company behind the proposal has taken to Facebook to “welcome autumn”. Around 2,000 protestors, mainly young people, gathered again downtown Bucharest on Wednesday evening (September 4) for the fourth consecutive night of demonstrations against the project, which awaits final approval from the Parliament. Some of the group clashed with gendarmes supervising the demonstration; with unsubstantiated messages posted on the demonstrators’ Facebook page saying tear gas was used. However, no serious injuries were reported. It was the first time since the protests started in Bucharest on Sunday that protesters have clashed with police. Mainly demonstrators have banged plastic bottles and drums, waved signs and shouted slogans against the controversial proposal. Another rally, planned via social media, will start tonight (September 5 ) at 19,00. Meanwhile, on their Facebook page, the company behind the Rosia Montana project has posted a picture of flowers and heralded the coming of autumn. The post reads: “We welcome autumn in our homes. Lovely and colorful autumn flowers are about to brighten up our day”. A commenter on the post has responded: “What flowers will be left after you will destroy our land?” The Government recently approved the law allowing Rosia Montana Gold Corporation to exploit gold in central Romania, which, if approved, is expected to begin in November 2016, as the area’s urban plan should be approved by end-2013. The mining project, owned predominantly by Canadian company Gabriel Resources, has been widely opposed in Romania and was been blocked for several years because of environmental protection disputes. Politicians including president Traian Basescu have lobbied for the project saying it will create jobs and bring much needed funds to the state. Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta recently said that as an MP he would vote against the bill related to the mining project, however as PM, he can’t give a negative vote as he needs to attract new investments to Romania. Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com, Shaun Turton, shaun@romania-insider.com