Romania Taken to Court Over Deadly Waste Pond

The European Commission is taking Romania to its Court of Justice over a deadly 102-hectare pond that holds waste extracted from the copper and zinc mines in Moldova Noua, which it describes as abandoned and dangerous.

"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," the Commission said.

"Owing to the seriousness of the risk in this case, and on the recommendation of Environment Commissioner Janez Potocnik, the Commission is taking Romania to the EU Court of Justice, with a view to ensuring faster remedial work," it added.

According to EU legislation, member states must ensure that mining waste is properly managed so that it poses no threat to human health or to the environment, once mining exploitation has ceased.

The Bosneag tailings pond is located on the left bank of the Danube, near the border with Serbia. The pond was used to collect and decant mine waters from the Moldomin copper exploitation, which is located a few kilometers to the north.

The water in the pond has since evaporated and now it looks more like a desert with a 1.5 meters layer of fine powder, which contains high concentrations of copper and other metals.

Winds carry this dust to fields in the area, and when it rains some of the waste leaks into the waters of the Danube, according to local media.

Some 5,780 hectares of land are affected by this source of pollution in Romania, while some 30,000 people live in the affected area, on both sides of the Danube.

Romania is hosting some other 18 sites which represents a danger for the environment, according to green activists.