Romanian President asks new Environment Minister for a decision on gold mine, shale gas projects

Romanian president Traian Basescu asked the new Environment Minister Attila Korodi, who took the oath on Tuesday evening, to give an answer soon concerning the Rosia Montana gold mining project and Chevron's shale gas exploration. “What I'm asking, Mr. Minister, is to see whether Rosia Montana is feasible. If it is, give the permits rapidly, and if not, let's tell the investor, because each day of delay will cost us in the next lawsuit. Don't keep such topics under public debate,” said the Romanian president.

He went on to say that Romania does not have the billions of euros needed to use the mineral resources the country has, nor to import the needed technologies to use these resources while protecting the environment. “I would ask the media to go to Rosia Poieni (copper mine – e.n) or to Rosia Montana and see what the state-owned exploitation has done to the environment,” Basescu further said. He reminded of Romania's need to create new jobs, which would not be possible unless the country opens its mining area to foreign investors. “Because of the Romanian politicians' demagogy, the Rosia Montana investment has been blocked since 1997 and now very costly lawsuits are on the horizon,” said the Romanian President. Regarding Cupru Min, whose failed privatization process is still under public debate, with the state and private buyers exchanging contradictory statements in the media, the Romanian president said “it is well known how Cupru Min managed to make a profit. It simply didn't invest in opening new exploitation areas, so as to continue to surface exploitation,” said Traian Basescu. Attila Korodi has been named Environment Minister, replacing Laszlo Borbely, who stepped down amid a corruption investigation. Korodi is member of the same party as Borbely, the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR). editor@romania-insider.com