In the coming months, the Swiss Arcore plans to submit a request to the Government of the Republika Srpska for the granting of a concession for the exploitation of minerals in Lopare. This was confirmed for BHRT by the director of Arcore in Republika Srpska, who assures that this is the most economically significant project in Bosnia and Herzegovina, considering the rich deposit of extremely critical mineral raw materials in the EU supply chain. In the meantime, citizens’ associations and local authorities are collecting signatures for a petition against the opening of the mine, which they intend to send to the National Assembly of the RS.
Salvation for Lopare lies in preserving health and a clean living space, not in dirty exploitation that would endanger the population and nature. This is the thinking of those who signed the petition against the opening of the mine. The leader of the largest opposition party also joined the petition. He is asking the National Assembly to ban the opening of the mine or an extra-institutional fight will follow.
MILAN MILIČEVIĆ, president of SDS
In Lopare, in the whole of Majevica or anywhere in the RS, bring not thousands but tens of thousands of people to the streets and prevent damage to the eco system and endangering people’s lives.
Director of Arcore Vladimir Rudić says that both the residents and the local government supported the research that ended last year. Resistance, he believes, is a function of local elections. There is an economic basis for submitting a request for an exploitation concession.
VLADIMIR RUDIĆ, ARCORE d.o.o.
“For 18 months, we plan to work with the population on the analysis of all impacts related to the environment, after that all other permits and all other required documents that are necessary, and only after obtaining approval for exploitation can we begin exploitation.
RADO SAVIĆ, Mayor of Lopare Municipality
I never said that I am a priori for the mine without any clear things and indicators. We were waiting for any documentation that is not in the public domain about all this. There are only stories from the other side that it is certain and not supported by documentation.
Arcore is in contact with all companies interested in these raw materials, but that does not mean a deal has been concluded, says Rudić. Even the authorities do not consider the work finished. They are looking for more significant participation.
MILORAD DODIK, President of the Republika Srpska
No decision has been made, we are trying to build principles on it. One part of the principle is that I told you. The best environmental standards, companies interested in cooperation with us, if not, there is no concession.
The interest of Arcore is a higher degree of processing at the place of exploitation, says director Rudić. It is still uncertain what interest will prevail among the population under Majevica. After the Government planned legal interventions to eliminate the local community from decision-making when it comes to mining, public distrust grew, BHRT writes.
