On Monday the City Council of Košice, Slovakia’s second largest city, adopted a resolution that rejects plans for uranium mining and processing in the locality of Jahodna Kuriskova, currently a recreational zone. In addition, the city decided to create a committee of experts, city staff and members of the public, which will monitor further exploration work to see if it could have a negative impact on human health and whether it harms the environment. At the same time, a panel of lawyers will be formed to review the legal aspects of stopping the exploration work.
Environmentalists gathered before the City Council meeting in the lobby of the City Hall. They are determined not only to prevent mining and uranium processing, but are also asking the council to stop the exploration work, which continued after January when the Environment Ministry extended the validity of the license by four more years. A group of geologists who are in favour of uranium exploration came there too. Environment Minister Peter Ziga attended the meeting as well as the CEO of Ludovika Energy Boris Bartalsky.”I fundamentally oppose uranium mining at Jahodna, I support the city of Košice, the mayor, and governor of the Košice County,” said Environment Minister Peter Ziga, adding that he is similarly against gold mining in Detva. „
Anca Dragu
