Western Balkans Environment Programe

Existing situation:

The tailings pond is located in a tributary valley of the Ibar River. The tailings pond consists of a main dam; a western side dam and the pond area filled with tailings from the processing of lead and zinc ores at the Prvi Tunel concentrator. To a minor amount, gold processing residues have also been discharged into the tailings pond.

Untreated mine water from the Stan Trg mine, tailings and other process effluents from the process plant are discharged into the Zharkov Potok tailings pond.

The dam seepage and decant pond water are discharged without treatment into the Ibar River, adding to its pollution.

The tailings impoundment and the dam are free of any vegetation; no cover has been placed on the surface of the tailings and dam which makes them a source for dust storms. Therefore, in addition to the water pollution, the tailings pond is a source of severe health hazards to nearby residents of a small village north-east from the tailings caused by the dust pollution, particular during the hot, dry summer with strong winds blowing across the dam and bare dry tailings beaches in the direction of the village. Dust from the tailings is also a source of soil contamination in the vicinity of the Zharkov Potok tailings pond, which are used for agriculture by the local population.

Therefore, a prioritization of the most important measures was required and has led to the recommendation of emergency measures which can be implemented rapidly in order to achieve a demonstrable improvement of the environmental situation or lay the foundations of subsequent steps.

The objectives of this project are:

1. Construction of a drainage system to divert surface runoff from the catchment area around the tailings pond and discharge it into the Ibar River.
2. Spraying of dust suppressants on the dry tailings beaches and on the dam area as a temporary emergency measure to improve the air quality for the residents living in the vicinity of the tailings pond.

Results to be achieved:

1. Reducing the inflow of undisturbed surface runoff into the tailings pond
2. Reducing the generation of toxic tailings dust
3. Improving the air quality for the residents living in the vicinity of the tailings pond