Western Balkans Environment Programe

Existing situation:

Two large tailings impoundments are located at the embankments of the Krivareka River. The tailings No.1 (0.4 mill tons) and No.2 (1.6 mill tons) present sources of severe pollution, with large amounts of material being transported to the river via surface runoff and/or leaching. They present an enormous threat to terrestrial species in the immediate vicinity and to aquatic species in the Krivareka River. Large amounts of heavy metal loaded solid material and seepage water is continually contaminating the Krivareka River.

The tailings surfaces of both tailings ponds are severely eroded and significant amounts of waste have been transported into the river in the past. This process will continue with each significant precipitation or snow melt event. The tailings are probably a source of dissolved metals and most probably generate acid seepage.

The river downstream of the mine water discharge in the Krivareka River is murky brown and the stream bed grossly stained. This condition persists over many kilometers downstream. The mine discharge is strongly acidic (pH around 2...3), despite the reported carbonate content of the ore, and contains a significant metal load (mainly zinc and iron) as evidenced by the stained mine water channel bed and in the river bed below the confluence. Slope failure of the tailings slopes of both tailings ponds may temporary cover the Krivareka riverbed and would lead to additional contaminant load in the river water.

In order to improve present environmental situations, UNDP will undertake some emergency measures:

1. Construction of an access road from Tailings No1 to Tailings No2
   Estimated length from Tailings No1 to Tailings is 1.4 km. The access road must be designed for truck traffic.
2. Erosion protection of the Tailings ponds No.2
   The Krivareka riverbank along the tailings shoreline must be protected against erosion by appropriate civil engineering and hydro technical measures. Estimated length of riverbank with protection measures: 270 m
3. Sampling progamme at both tailings.
4. Supply of Chemical Reagents for the processing of tailings to Kishnica Processing Plant
5. Transport of 100 000 tons of tailings from Tailings No1 to Kishnica Processing Plant.

Expected results for these remediation activities:

1. Reducing of contamination source (Pb, Zn, Cd..)
2. River protection
3. Reprocessing of tailings and Contribution from expected sales
4. Improving the quality of Krivareka River for the residents living close of river.