Stories, Contemporary issues
Rosia Montana

Though they are few in numbers, Rosia Montana villagers are divided by the gold curse. Some want to save the green gold which surrounds the little village. It seems fair. Some want to benefit from the „yellow” gold in Rosia Montana. It also seems fair.

If the first group manages to impose their point of view, the others have nothing left but to retrain. In a way, even if the project receives the „green light”, after the exploration phase ends, in 20 years, they would still need to re-qualify. In 20 years though, the alternative to explore the area for touristic purposes, will remain only a sweet dream.

If pro-mining group have to gain, even theoretically, a part of them will still have a job in the next 10-15 years and with this I fully agree.  As I told you before, they will definitely not enjoy the nature or the inheritance of ancient galleries – that would give Rosia Montana a place in the UNESCO patrimony.

Those who seek for the yellow gold have by their side the exploiting company and the politicians. The others seem supported by nature activists and not only. So far, all people who participate to this battle believe there is only one winner.

Why not let both parties win? The villagers in Rosia Montana are cursed and blessed in the same time. Blessed because all through the years they have sacrificed their youth, health and life, only to let gold shine.

They are also lucky because they were born in Rosia. You will ask me why. Nature lovers can’t ask them to starve to death only for nature’s sake. It is easy to yell „Save Rosia Montana” without giving any help to these people. They were born on gold, them and their successors are entitled to receive a monthly fee from the state.

Romanians love the saying: „let neighbor’s goat die” and because of this it is hard to believe that there will be enough signatures for this kind of petition. From a fierce fight, saving Rosia Montana can become common if we accept this idea of compensation.

You can therefore petition for the annuity of its villagers and you saved Rosia Montana for good. Is it difficult? Is it easy?

That well I know Romanians to say it’s impossible.

Rosia Montana
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General view of Rosia Montana. In the foreground we can see the remanning of a gold mining equipment, on October 13, 2011. The controversial gold mining project of Rosia Montana Gold Corporation is delayed by locals unwilling to sell their properties and environmental activists opposing the usage of the cyanide technology in gold extraction.
Radu Pripor seen in Carpinis, his home village, hitchhiking on a saturday night, on his way to a pub in the nearby city Campeni, on October 15, 2011. The controversial gold mining project of Rosia Montana Gold Corporation is delayed by locals unwilling to sell their properties and environmental activists opposing the usage of the cyanide technology in gold extraction.
The biggest open pit copper mine, started in 1977 at Rosia Poieni. Still state owned, rumors has it it will be privatized in 2012. Rosia Poieni is situated in the immediate vicinity of Rosia Montana. The controversial gold mining project of Rosia Montana Gold Corporation is delayed by locals unwilling to sell their properties and environmental activists opposing the usage of the cyanide technology in gold extraction.
Adrian Sekeli working to reopen Faureni, a former gold mining tunnel in Rosia Montana, on October 17, 2011. The controversial gold mining project of Rosia Montana Gold Corporation is delayed by locals unwilling to sell their properties and environmental activists opposing the usage of the cyanide technology in gold extraction.
One of the 80% properties acquired by Rosia Montana Gold Corporation in Rosia Montana as seen on October 13, 2011. The controversial gold mining project is delayed by locals unwilling to sell their properties and environmental activists opposing the usage of the cyanide technology in gold extraction.
Lucian Napau (left) and Radu Pripor working to reopen Faureni, a former gold mining tunnel in Rosia Montana, on October 13, 2011. The controversial gold mining project of Rosia Montana Gold Corporation is delayed by locals unwilling to sell their properties and environmental activists opposing the usage of the cyanide technology in gold extraction.
Downtown Rosia Montana as seen on October 13, 2011. The 'Between Legs' Pub is one of the last opened bars in the village. The controversial gold mining project of Rosia Montana Gold Corporation is delayed by locals unwilling to sell their properties and environmental activists opposing the usage of the cyanide technology in gold extraction.
Radu Pripor working to reopen Faureni, a former gold mining tunnel in Rosia Montana, on October 17, 2011. The controversial gold mining project of Rosia Montana Gold Corporation is delayed by locals unwilling to sell their properties and environmental activists opposing the usage of the cyanide technology in gold extraction.
Cetate exploitation, a gold mining pit opened in 1970 and closed in 2006 as seen in Rosia Montana on October 14, 2011. The controversial gold mining project of Rosia Montana Gold Corporation is delayed by locals unwilling to sell their properties and environmental activists opposing the usage of the cyanide technology in gold extraction.
Radu Pripor working second shift to reopen one of the old galleries (Faureni) as seen in Rosia Montana on October 13, 2011. The controversial gold mining project of Rosia Montana Gold Corporation is delayed by locals unwilling to sell their properties and environmental activists opposing the usage of the cyanide technology in gold extraction.
Cetate exploitation, a gold mining pit opened in 1970 and closed in 2006 as seen in Rosia Montana on October 14, 2011. The controversial gold mining project of Rosia Montana Gold Corporation is delayed by locals unwilling to sell their properties and environmental activists opposing the usage of the cyanide technology in gold extraction.
Ionut Narita working collecting the hay in Carpinis, a village next to Rosia Montana, on October 15, 2011. The controversial gold mining project of Rosia Montana Gold Corporation is delayed by locals unwilling to sell their properties and environmental activists opposing the usage of the cyanide technology in gold extraction.
Landscape as seen in Hadarau early morning, october 16, 2011. The village is in the vicinity of the copper exploitation Rosia Poieni, on the way to the decanting basin Valea Sesii. The controversial gold mining project of Rosia Montana Gold Corporation is delayed by locals unwilling to sell their properties and environmental activists opposing the usage of the cyanide technology in gold extraction.
The biggest open pit copper mine, started in 1977 at Rosia Poieni. Still state owned, rumors has it it will be privatized in 2012. Rosia Poieni is situated in the immediate vicinity of Rosia Montana. The controversial gold mining project of Rosia Montana Gold Corporation is delayed by locals unwilling to sell their properties and environmental activists opposing the usage of the cyanide technology in gold extraction.
Catalin Hosu, the PR manager of RMGC watching the miners working to reopen Faureni, a former gold mining tunnel in Rosia Montana, on October 17, 2011. The controversial gold mining project of Rosia Montana Gold Corporation is delayed by locals unwilling to sell their properties and environmental activists opposing the usage of the cyanide technology in gold extraction.
Cetate exploitation, a gold mining pit opened in 1970 and closed in 2006 as seen in Rosia Montana on October 15, 2011. The controversial gold mining project of Rosia Montana Gold Corporation is delayed by locals unwilling to sell their properties and environmental activists opposing the usage of the cyanide technology in gold extraction.
A banner stating 'Save Rosia Montana' seen inside the office of Eugen Cornea, on the the lifers of the movement opposing reopening the gold mining exploitation in Rosia Montana, as seen on October 13, 2011. The controversial gold mining project of Rosia Montana Gold Corporation is delayed by locals unwilling to sell their properties and environmental activists opposing the usage of the cyanide technology in gold extraction.
RMGC employees working to restore an apartment building in Rosia Montana, on October 17, 2011. The controversial gold mining project of Rosia Montana Gold Corporation is delayed by locals unwilling to sell their properties and environmental activists opposing the usage of the cyanide technology in gold extraction.
Elderly woman seen attending to her poultry in the backyard of her house in Rosia Montana. Her son (not seen in the image) is negotiating the buyout of their house by Rosia Montana Gold Corporation. On the same pice of land, he is building a new house hoping they will make a profit selling that property as well. The controversial gold mining project is delayed by locals unwilling to sell their properties and environmental activists opposing the usage of the cyanide technology in gold extraction.
General view of the Big Tarn (Taul Mare) lake situated 1.025 m above sea level seen at Rosia Montana on October 16, 2011. In the background you can see Cetate exploitation, an gold mining pit first opened in 1970 and closed in 2006. The controversial gold mining project of Rosia Montana Gold Corporation is delayed by locals unwilling to sell their properties and environmental activists opposing the usage of the cyanide technology in gold extraction.
House as seen on one of the versants in Carpinis village, next to Rosia Montana, on October 15, 2011. The controversial gold mining project of Rosia Montana Gold Corporation is delayed by locals unwilling to sell their properties and environmental activists opposing the usage of the cyanide technology in gold extraction.
Mother and son wallking by in downtown Rosia Montana, october 17, 2011. The controversial gold mining project of Rosia Montana Gold Corporation is delayed by locals unwilling to sell their properties and environmental activists opposing the usage of the cyanide technology in gold extraction.
One of the 80% properties acquired by Rosia Montana Gold Corporation in Rosia Montana as seen on October 13, 2011. The controversial gold mining project is delayed by locals unwilling to sell their properties and environmental activists opposing the usage of the cyanide technology in gold extraction.
Cetate exploitation, a gold mining pit opened in 1970 and closed in 2006 as seen in Rosia Montana on October 14, 2011. The controversial gold mining project of Rosia Montana Gold Corporation is delayed by locals unwilling to sell their properties and environmental activists opposing the usage of the cyanide technology in gold extraction.
Landscape as seen in Hadarau early morning, october 16, 2011. The village is in the vicinity of the copper exploitation Rosia Poieni, on the way to the decanting basin Valea Sesii. The controversial gold mining project of Rosia Montana Gold Corporation is delayed by locals unwilling to sell their properties and environmental activists opposing the usage of the cyanide technology in gold extraction.
Abandoned cottage as seen in Rosia Montana, october 16, 2011. The controversial gold mining project of Rosia Montana Gold Corporation is delayed by locals unwilling to sell their properties and environmental activists opposing the usage of the cyanide technology in gold extraction.
Radu Pripor (left) collecting the hay in his free time as seen in his home village Carpinis, a village next to Rosia Montana, on October 15, 2011. The controversial gold mining project of Rosia Montana Gold Corporation is delayed by locals unwilling to sell their properties and environmental activists opposing the usage of the cyanide technology in gold extraction.
One of the few houses left unsold to Rosia Montana Gold Corporation. The owner already sold one of his properties and he is now building another house hopping he will make a profit when the corporation will buy it from him. The controversial gold mining project of Rosia Montana Gold Corporation is delayed by locals unwilling to sell their properties and environmental activists opposing the usage of the cyanide technology in gold extraction.
Radu Pripor working to reopen Faureni, a former gold mining tunnel in Rosia Montana, on October 13, 2011. The controversial gold mining project of Rosia Montana Gold Corporation is delayed by locals unwilling to sell their properties and environmental activists opposing the usage of the cyanide technology in gold extraction.
Radu Priopor, a miner for Rosia Montana Gold Corporation, working to collect the hay in his free time as seen in home village Carpinis, a village next to Rosia Montana, on October 15, 2011. The controversial gold mining project of Rosia Montana Gold Corporation is delayed by locals unwilling to sell their properties and environmental activists opposing the usage of the cyanide technology in gold extraction.
General view of the Big Tarn (Taul Mare) lake situated 1.025 m above sea level seen at Rosia Montana on October 14, 2011. In the background you can see Cetate exploitation, an gold mining pit first opened in 1970 and closed in 2006. The controversial gold mining project of Rosia Montana Gold Corporation is delayed by locals unwilling to sell their properties and environmental activists opposing the usage of the cyanide technology in gold extraction.
Soil samples, from all over Europe, as seen in front of the independent Rom Analize SRL Laboratory in Gura Rosiei, Romania, owned and operated by ISO Certified ALS-Chemex Laboratory, using industry standard fire assay techniques for gold on 50-gram sample charges with AAS finish, october 16, 2011. The controversial gold mining project of Rosia Montana Gold Corporation is delayed by locals unwilling to sell their properties and environmental activists opposing the usage of the cyanide technology in gold extraction.
Lepedean Marian working to reopen Faureni, a former gold mining tunnel in Rosia Montana, on October 13, 2011. The controversial gold mining project of Rosia Montana Gold Corporation is delayed by locals unwilling to sell their properties and environmental activists opposing the usage of the cyanide technology in gold extraction.
The biggest open pit copper mine, started in 1977 at Rosia Poieni. Still state owned, rumors has it it will be privatized in 2012. Rosia Poieni is situated in the immediate vicinity of Rosia Montana. The controversial gold mining project of Rosia Montana Gold Corporation is delayed by locals unwilling to sell their properties and environmental activists opposing the usage of the cyanide technology in gold extraction.
Chemicals decanting basin at Gura Rosiei, situated in the vicinity of the former ore grinder. The controversial gold mining project of Rosia Montana Gold Corporation is delayed by locals unwilling to sell their properties and environmental activists opposing the usage of the cyanide technology in gold extraction.
Domin Balea working second shift to reopen Faureni, one of the old galleries, as seen in Rosia Montana on October 13, 2011. The controversial gold mining project of Rosia Montana Gold Corporation is delayed by locals unwilling to sell their properties and environmental activists opposing the usage of the cyanide technology in gold extraction.
The entrance to an old gold mining gallery, currently undergoing refurbishing works as seen in Rosia Montana on October 13, 2011. The controversial gold mining project of Rosia Montana Gold Corporation is delayed by locals unwilling to sell their properties and environmental activists opposing the usage of the cyanide technology in gold extraction.
One of the 80% properties acquired by Rosia Montana Gold Corporation in Rosia Montana as seen on October 13, 2011. The controversial gold mining project is delayed by locals unwilling to sell their properties and environmental activists opposing the usage of the cyanide technology in gold extraction.
Local wedding in Campeni, a city situated in the immediate vicinity of Rosia Montana. Most of the people in Campeni live out of wood trade. As a result, the closing of the mining operations at Rosia Montana did not have such a devastating impact on people's income. The controversial gold mining project is delayed by locals unwilling to sell their properties and environmental activists opposing the usage of the cyanide technology in gold extraction.
Rosia Poieni site, part of the biggest open pit copper exploitation in Europe, opened in 1977, seen in the immediate vicinity of Rosia Montana on October 14, 2011. The controversial gold mining project of Rosia Montana Gold Corporation is delayed by locals unwilling to sell their properties and environmental activists opposing the usage of the cyanide technology in gold extraction.
General view of Detunata Flocoasa massif, just above Rosia Montana. The name of Detunata Flocoasa was inspired by the thundering roar of the rocks falling of the mountain. The controversial gold mining project is delayed by locals unwilling to sell their properties and environmental activists opposing the usage of the cyanide technology in gold extraction.
Eugen Cornea, one of the leaders of the movement opposing the reopening of the gold mining exploitation at Rosia Montana seen in his front yard on October 15, 2011. The controversial gold mining project of Rosia Montana Gold Corporation is delayed by locals unwilling to sell their properties and environmental activists opposing the usage of the cyanide technology in gold extraction.
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