Pro Rosia Montana NGO refuses UNESCO inclusion

In a letter addressed to Kelemen Hunor, Romanian Minister of Culture and National Heritage, Pro Rosia Montana NGO states that the community of Rosia Montana does not wish to be included in the UNESCO heritage. Examples of recently organized festivals in the area are presented as more damaging to the Rosia Montana landscape than the activity of mining.

From the first lines, the petition clearly states that the NGO, allegedly speaking for the Rosia Montana community, does not wish for Rosia Montana to be included in the UNESCO heritage so as not to turn it in a “museum exhibit”. The locals have been working in mining for generations and wish to continue as such, states the letter.

Festivals organized in the area, such as Fan Fest, an initiative supporting Rosia Montana’s UNESCO heritage inclusion, are crucified for being a source of garbage, noise, indecent behavior and drug use. One of the festival’s motto, “Come to Rosia Montana so we can occupy it together!” is regarded by the NGO as a “call to war”.

“As a consequence to the discussions with the villagers, I said that I did not agree with Rosia Montana’s becoming part of the UNESCO heritage for the time being, because in Rosia Montana it is necessary for people to work, a modern mining project needs to be implemented. Eventually, I agree with the introduction of Rosia Montana on the UNESCO lists, but in 25 or 30 years, when the gold reserves are exhausted”, declares Eugen Furdui, mayor of Rosia Montana, as quoted in the letter.

Gabriel Resources, the Canadian mining company currently investing in the Rosia Montana area, is a controversial name on the Romanian market, due to the high-profile opposition to the development of a mine in Rosia Montana in Romania, with many fearing the area would be destroyed, both culturally and environmentally, by the mining process.

As stated on Pro Rosia Montana’s website, www.prorosiamontana.ro, “Pro Rosia Montana NGO was founded in 2000, due to the massive dismissal of the employees from the mining state company Rosia Min”.

The petition is signed by Pro Rosia Montana, along with two other NGOs, Pro Dreptatea (Pro Justice) and Parteneriatul pentru mediu Rosia Montana (Environment Partnership Rosia Montana).