Zlate Hory Town Assembly Rejects Gold Mining Plan Due to Lack of Benefits

Strategic Insights -

The Zlate Hory Town Assembly has voted with a crushing majority to reject a plan to resume gold mining in the town's area. According to Mayor Milan Rac, the decision was made after considering the proposed benefits for the town's development, which were deemed insufficient. The rejection of the plan comes as a survey commissioned by the state-owned company Diamo has revealed that the local gold deposits are significantly richer than initially expected, with over 3.5 tonnes of gold found in the vicinity of the town.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Zlate Hory Town Assembly voted with a crushing majority to reject a plan to resume gold mining in the town's area.
  • The decision was made after considering the proposed benefits for the town's development, which were deemed insufficient.
  • A survey commissioned by Diamo has revealed that the local gold deposits are significantly richer than initially expected, with over 3.5 tonnes of gold found in the vicinity of the town.
  • The calculation of the geological reserves of copper, zinc, and gold will be known in October.
  • The town assembly members voted against the mining plan due to a lack of favorable impacts on the town's development.
  • The environmental impact study (EIA) will be discussed as part of the administrative procedures.
  • State-owned Diamo has been conducting geological exploration in Zlate Hory since 2020, focusing on local polymetallic ores with gold.
  • Preliminary data has confirmed significant indications of gallium, copper, and zinc, in addition to gold.
  • Copper and gallium are strategic and critical EU metals, with Diamo requesting the Ministry of Environment to extend the exploration area to verify and calculate their reserves.

Statistics:

  • Over 3.5 tonnes of gold are found in the vicinity of the town.
  • 90 percent of the estimated gold deposit is located within the town's cadastre, while part of it is in the neighbouring village of Hermanovice.
  • Geological exploration in Zlate Hory began in 2020.

Sources:

  • CTK: Zlate Hory Town Assembly rejects gold mining plan.
  • iROZHLAS.cz: More than 3.5 tonnes of gold found in the vicinity of the town.
  • Diamo (state-owned company): Geological exploration in Zlate Hory has been ongoing since 2020.