STRATEGIC PLAN FOR PREVENTION OF REGIONAL WATER RESOURCES CONTAMINATION FROM MINING AND METALLURGICAL INDUSTRIES IN WESTERN BALKAN COUNTRIES

The Western Balkan Peninsula is rich in natural mineral resources. Among the most important of them are considered the chromite, bauxite, polymetallic complex sulphide, laterite and coal ore deposits, which are used for the production of steel,ferroalloys, aluminium, nickel, base and precious metals. Exploitation of these ore deposits, one of the most dynamic sectors in the Western Balkan region, along with metal extraction that follows cause severe environmental pollution problems in the area, related to contamination of soil and surface-, groundwater. This project addresses environmental pollution problems associated with mining and metallurgical activities in two Western Balkan countries, in order to develop an Integrated Strategic Plan including proposals for feasible technological improvements in mining and metallurgical industrial activities in the involved area and viable technologies for the management of the industrial wastes ensuring the protection of the natural water resources. In order to achieve this objective, the project deals with (i) collection and management of information concerning the major mining and metallurgical industries in the involved Western Balkan countries, as well as the extent of the regional water resources contamination and the risks associated with it, (ii) identification of Best Available Technologies that haveto be adopted by the regional mining and metallurgical industries in their production stages, as well as in the related wastes management aiming at waste minimization, prevention of surface-, groundwater contamination and safeguarding the ecosystem of the affected areas (iii) dissemination of the gained knowledge and promotion of the project results.