A new silver, lead and barite mine that opened in 2024 in the small Bosnian town of Vares promised economic revival, but recent blood tests have revealed elevated lead levels in more than 300 residents, casting a shadow over the community.
Economic Hope Turns to Health Crisis
After decades of decline, the mine brought new roads, houses, and a population influx. However, in recent months, blood tests showed lead exposure in residents living near the mine's processing plant and waste depot. On Wednesday, four Bosnian environmental agencies filed criminal charges against Dundee Precious Metals (DPM), the Canadian company that acquired the mine from UK-based Adriatic Metals in September.
Miroslav Pejcinovic, president of Opstanak Vares, one of the agencies, stated: "We think that the situation is ripe to declare an emergency situation. Somebody needs to take responsibility."
Test Results and Health Concerns
DPM agreed to finance blood tests in December after residents requested them. Initial tests on 44 people living near the processing plant found 17 with elevated lead levels. Subsequent tests by health institutes in Zenica and Sarajevo identified over 300 affected individuals, including some farther away. Elevated lead can damage the nervous system and brain, causing learning difficulties in children. While no acute poisoning has been reported, doctors warn that any level is dangerous.
A March report from the Vares health centre indicated long-term, low-intensity exposure rather than acute poisoning. Of 238 tests by the Zenica Institute for Health and Food Safety, 23% exceeded 2.8 micrograms per decilitre, and 13% surpassed 5 micrograms per decilitre.
Uncertain Source of Contamination
Local officials note that widespread testing had not been conducted before, making it impossible to determine if the lead originates from the new mine or historic mining activity. DPM has joined a working group to test land, water, agricultural produce, and dust. The company stated: "We believe that issues relating to the environment and public health should be assessed on the basis of expert analysis, verified data... without prejudging responsibility."
Criminal charges were also filed against cantonal and regional government ministers for allegedly failing to protect residents. The Federation Prime Minister, Nermin Niksic, announced an expert group, saying: "The peoples' health cannot be endangered because of someone's negligence, or someone's investment or someone's interest."
Residents' Plight
The Ahmedovic family, living near the processing plant, tested positive for lead, along with their crops. Enisa Ahmedovic said: "I am not even sure if there is lead in this hay. Life with lead is not easy." They had invested in cattle and farming, but now consider leaving. Emina Veljovic, an environmental law expert, urged authorities to determine "who poisons children, who poisons our citizens."
