Romanian PM: Rosia Montana remains a priority, project contested politically, not environmentally

The Rosia Montana gold mining project remains a priority for the Romanian Government, as it will create new jobs, said Romanian Prime Minister Mihai Razvan Ungureanu. He also claimed the project has met resistance for political rather than environmental reasons.

“Rosia Montana means jobs. I'm looking at it very technically and I will not back down when facing the truth. I am not a new age ecologist who suddenly invented a political identity, wrapped up in something I don't believe in. I am willing to go to Rosia Montana with anyone of those who rhetorically promote ecology, not based on environmental motivation but rather on politics, and show them how the environmental damage looks,” said the PM on Wednesday. Gabriel Resources is still awaiting the environmental OK for gold mining in Romania. Rosia Montana mining project is jointly held by Canadian Gabriel Resources and the Romanian state. The state has a 19.3 percent stake in the project, through state-run company Minvest Deva. This project has met with widespread opposition in Romania. Several non-governmental organizations oppose the project, saying it will destroy the environment in the Apuseni mountains area. Rosia Montana, in Alba county, has the biggest gold bedding in Romania, evaluated at some 300 tonnes of gold and 1,600 tonnes of silver. The mining concession was given to the Rosia Montana Gold Corporation, a company majority owned by Canadian Gabriel Resources. According to the Romanian media, businessmen John Paulson, Beny Steinmetz and Thomas Kaplan are behind Gabriel Resources. editor@romania-insider.com (photo source: Romanian Govt.)