Bulgarian parliament hears the anti-cyanide concerns of thousands
Press release | 21 January, 2010Today at the Bulgarian parliament’s Petitions Committee three public petitions related to controversial mining initiatives were heard, in a process described by ‘Cyanide Free Bulgaria’ campaigners as encouraging and not before time.
Read moreNew ban on cyanide mining in Hungary gives hope across the region
Blog entry | 22 December, 2009A ban on all cyanide-based mining technologies on Hungarian territory that was passed by 356 votes in favour to one vote against in Hungary’s parliament earlier this month has strengthened hopes of other national bans – even a Europe-wide ban – ahead of the tenth anniversary of the Baia Mare disaster next month.
Read moreConcerns mount over cyanide rush in Bulgarian mining projects, European Commission urged to intervene
Press release | 1 December, 2009Two Bankwatch groups and the members of the Cyanide Free Bulgaria coalition outlined today at a press conference in Sofia the ongoing problematic issues hanging over the proposed introduction of controversial cyanide leaching at the Chelopech mining project and with the Bulgarian government’s handling of the environmental procedures for wider use of cyanide in mining projects across the country.
Read moreViolations at EBRD power lines project spark clashes between police and villagers in Ukraine
Press release | 18 November, 2009A project financed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in the Odessa region of Ukraine has this week been the scene of clashes between 300 police officers and villagers resisting the routing of high voltage power lines through their village. The EUR 25.8 million Odessa High Voltage Grid Upgrade project is being implemented by Ukraine’s national electricity company Ukrenergo in violation of agreements with the EBRD, the international public development bank and backer of the project.
Read moreNew ‘homes’ in Serbian temporary settlements are still far from acceptable
Blog entry | 20 October, 2009On 31 August 2009 the inhabitants of the Gazela informal settlement in Belgrade were resettled to temporary accommodation at four sites outside of Belgrade. After a visit conducted by partner group CEKOR in September which found a number of important issues needing to be addressed, Bankwatch carried out a follow-up fact-finding mission on 6-8 October 2009.
Read morePublic consultations short-circuited for major Ukrainian power project, EBRD urged to stand up for communities and the environment
Press release | 13 October, 2009A major power transmission project in Ukraine that seeks a EUR 175 million loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to facilitate the export of electricity from Europe’s biggest nuclear power plant across protected nature sites in the south of Ukraine is violating the EBRD’s procedures on public consultations, according to Bankwatch member group National Ecological Centre of Ukraine (NECU).
Read moreArcelorMittal continues to pollute and uproot peoples lives
Press release | 12 May, 2009ArcelorMittal needs to move beyond good intentions on environmental and social improvements and turn words into deeds. Despite its rhetoric on social responsibility, the company continues to destroy the environment, risk peoples lives and displace local communities, according to a new report launched today by the Global Action on ArcelorMittal coalition to coincide with the company’s annual shareholder meeting in Luxembourg.
Read moreAnti-cyanide protestors in Sofia boosted by European parliament support
Press release | 20 January, 2009Residents of the Bulgarian village of Poibrene have today taken their long-standing concerns about the potential introduction of controversial cyanide technology at the Chelopech gold mine – led by Canadian firm Dundee Precious Metals – directly to the Bulgarian ministries of environment and health and to the Sofia office of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the publicly-owned development bank that is a potential funder of a USD 150 million project that could see cyanide leaching introduced at the gold mine without inclusive public consultation.
Read moreLocal resistance to nightmare Albanian energy development scenario remains defiant, protestors demand a referendum
Press release | 1 November, 20083000 citizens from the city of Vlora in Albania held a large protest rally this weekend at the coastal site that has been designated as the construction site for an oil and gas terminal and a thermo power plant. The protestors called on national institutions to respect their right to a local referendum on the constructions. They also urged the World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Investment Bank (EIB) not to provide finance for projects that do not respect local public rights to participate in decision making and that will have strong negative impacts in the very sensitive area of Vlora Bay. [1]
Read moreEBRD says NO to Vlora hydrocarbons terminal
Blog entry | 21 July, 2008The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is no longer considering financing for a controversial hydrocarbons terminal in Vlora, Albania.
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