ROMANIA--Environmental Minister Counts 41 Mining Sites that Pose Danger to Environment

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Romanian Minister Wants Answers

Story Filed: Sunday, March 12, 2000 6:25 PM EST

BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) -- The environmental minister counted 41 mining sites in Romania that pose a danger to the environment, and said Sunday he would demand that operators tell him what they were doing to prevent accidents.

Minister Romica Tomescu spoke two days after melting snow and torrential rains broke a dam at the state-owned Baia Borsa mine, 235 miles northwest of Bucharest. The breach sent a wave of zinc- and lead-laden waters into the Vaser River.

That accident came six weeks after a cyanide spill killed tons of fish in the Tisza River in Hungary and Yugoslavia. The Vaser flows into the Tisza.

Speaking on a private television station, Pro TV, Tomescu said there were 41 dangerous mining sites in northern Romania, and that he was demanding information from operators about dangers and preventive measures.

He did not list all 41 sites, but mentioned a few near the towns of Baia Mare, Zlatna and Hunedoara. Northwestern Romania is a major mining area.

A team of German experts, including Germany's environmental minister, arrived in Bucharest on Sunday, and will travel to the country's north Monday.

``We're here to help prevent future accidents,'' Minister Gila Altman told Pro TV.

At the Baia Borsa mine, executive director Staicu Balanescu said repairs to the dam could take up to three months.

Ukrainian authorities have warned people against drinking the Tisza's water or eating its fish, Pro TV said.

In Budapest, Hungarian government commissioner Janos Goenczy said the heavy metal contamination had entered the Tisza River east of the cyanide spill.

``This means that the previously untouched parts of the river are contaminated as well,'' he said. Goenczy expressed concern about the long-term effects of heavy metal in the waterways, and the danger of them entering the food chain.

Nearly all of Hungary's fresh water comes from outside of its borders. Hungary's prime minister, Viktor Orban, said he hoped international pressure would force Romania to sign an environmental protection agreement with Hungary.

Three U.N. experts were also expected in Hungary late Sunday or Monday to help assess the situation, Goenczy said.

Copyright ) 2000 Associated Press Information Services, all rights reserved.

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-- (Dee360Degree@aol.com), March 12, 2000


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