What is hidden behind record foreign investments in Bosnian mining, 13 September 2023

The news recently announced by the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina that this country achieved 1.44 billion convertible marks (740 million euros) in foreign investments last year, resonated with the public, because it is an increase of 21 percent compared to 2021. Surprisingly, Great Britain is in first place with 271.8 million convertible marks of investments (139 million euros).

However, behind this is hidden the story of investments in mines, which bring enormous pollution of the natural environment.

One of the biggest British investments in Bosnia and Herzegovina is the mine in Vareš...The British ambassadors visit to the mine speaks of the importance of the project. Investments in Vareš have been going on for years, and production is expected to start soon. However, before production, citizens of nearby Kakanj already drink cloudy water.

"If we look at the topographical and hydrological map of Vareš and its surroundings it is clear that the heavy metal mine is located in the basin of the Sarajevo-Zenica basin. This means that by polluting the underground water at the mine location, we will have the same poison downstream in the Bosna river basin. River Trstionica is the first victim and it is already evident on the field. Furthermore, the river Bukovica, from which Kakanj draws water for the waterworks suffers from pollution. "The rain will wash away the contaminated excavations, the water flows into the Borovički creek and then into Bukovica, and part of the underground water from the mine is carried through the Borovički creek" says Hajrija Cobo, an environmental activist from Kakanj...

"The water in Kakanj has not been drinkable since early spring and no one has publicly announced this to the citizens. Soon that water will not even be usable as technical water. We expect that it will contain an amount of heavy metals harmful to human and animal health. We don't claim this just flat-out, but we do mini internal water analyses, we contact local experts and eminent professors. "Bukovica will be polluted at the very source, because the location of Semizova Ponikva, where its source is, has been placed under concession for mining," adds Cobo.

She believes that the concession was approved through corrupt practices...