Protests Continue in Romania; Citizens Request Shale Gas Information
Romanians have been flooding the streets since the beginning of September to rally against the Rosia Montana mining project amid fears over the use of cyanide, which is used in gold mining to separate metal from waste material.
Bucharest was host to the largest demonstration on September 15th, with protests taking place in 26 other cities, all urging for the rejection of the project located in the Carpathian Mountains.
During this time protests also took place in Barlad around the Chevron perimeters in opposition to shale gas. Barlad residents also joined in Bucharest over worries shale gas exploitation would contaminate their water, in line with Rosia Montana protesters who fear cyanide will contaminate the dam.
Yesterday over 300 people from Gagesti, Suletea, Murgeni and Barlad said NO to Chevron and to shale gas exploration and exploitation. In Barlad, this was the 7th day of protests held in front of the Mayor’s Office.
More information needed
In July, the National Agency for Mineral Resources held a poll in Constanta and Barlad Counties where Chevron is searching for shale gas. The results of the poll showed that over 60% of the participants in the poll were poorly informed regarding this type of resource.
“Over 60% of the people questioned in the poll claim they are poorly informed regarding unconventional resources – shale gas and the activities of exploration and exploitation, their advantages and downsides” is noted in a release by the National Agency for Mineral Resources.
Over 65% of the participants in the poll say they do not know the possible risks of the exploration stage and over 50% say they do not know the downsides of the exploitation stage. Asked what are the advantages of the exploration / exploitation, over 40% stated they do not know.
In both areas there was a high percentage (over 40%) of people who believe that the initial works are exploitation works. At the same time, over 50% of poll respondents said they do not know how long the exploration stage lasts (between 3 and 5 years).
With respect to information sources, around half of those interviewed believe the Mayor's Office should inform citizens regarding the activities related to exploration followed by the Government and the National Agency for Mineral Resources.
The importance of information is emphasized by Marian Buta, deputy Mayor of Gagesti village, who took part in the demonstration: “Why does the Government not come to inform us, to talk to us and to the people? This is a serious situation. They should come and give guarantees there is no danger and then we can debate the issue in the community […] But they do not seem interested in the community! If they would come and explain the situation would be different!”
Gabriel Petrescu