Press Release: Environment: Commission takes Romania to Court over toxic tailing pond

The European Commission decided on the 16 October 2014 to take Romania to Court for a failure to comply with EU legislation on mining waste (i.e. waste resulting from the extraction, treatment and storage of mineral resources and the working of quarries). The case concerns the Boșneag pond, a 102-hectare tailing pond that holds waste extracted from copper and zinc mines in Moldova Noua, Romania, and which is currently in a state of almost complete abandonment. The pond is a major source of pollution, spreading toxic dust that poses significant risks for human health and the environment. Romania had agreed to address the problem, but progress has been insufficient. Owing to the seriousness of the risk in this case, and on the recommendation of Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik, the Commission is taking Romania to the EU Court of Justice, with a view to ensuring faster remedial work.

• Primary Source

European Commission: RAPID: MEMO/14/589: October infringements package: main decisions http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-14-589_en.htm

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