News on the Esmeralda Cyanide spill in Europe

MPI is collating reports as they become available. Please note that the reports on this page do not necessarily represent the views of the Mineral Policy Institute. Click on the title of a report to read full article.

Second toxic mine spill threatens Hungary - Yet another mining disaster is today unfolding in Romania, Hungary and the Ukraine, where a new spillage of heavy metal laced toxic mine waste is threatening the only unpolluted upper section of the Tisza river with new contamination.

Tues 7 March - Mon 28 Feb 2000

Hungary - a river somewhere - "I would start by making him a good soup of fish poisoned by cyanide and making. him eat it. If that didnāt do the trick I would tie him by the neck to the back of the boat and drag him through the water for three kilometres." Mihaly Tarjaniās response to the Mine management.

River of Shame: a crime against humanity - James Taylor, the company's managing director, admits he doesn't yet know the cause of the disaster - a catastrophe a Hungarian politician describes as "a crime against humanity"

Tourism survives cyanide - so far - Since the January 30 spill of cyanide from a gold mine in Baia Mare, Romania the most significant economic impact here has been decreased fish consumption. The scare has hurt fishmongers all over, despite a Government publicity campaign concerning food-safety inspections.

Deadly Discharge - A poison spill devastates river life in parts of Europe, prompting calls for better checks on hazardous waste.

Cyanide Spill Kills Key European Otters - Cyanide is killing the Hungarian otters that were to be used as a seed group to restore vanishing otter populations elsewhere in Europe.

Tues 29 - Sun 27 Feb 2000

Mine in cyanide row brings in PR experts - Troubled gold miner Esmeralda Exploration has hired a team of environmental and media consultants. But an environmental lobby group, the Mining Policy Institute, which broke the news of the Romanian cyanide spill, raised concerns about NSR yesterday, questioning its track record at several overseas mines.

EU Creates Task Force To Study Cyanide Leak Impact - The European Commission announced the creation of a task force on Friday to assess environmental damage caused by a cyanide leak at the Romanian Baia Mare gold mine. The task force will try to coordinate work already under way by the United Nations Environment Program and the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River.

UN experts arrive in Romania to inspect cyanide spill - United Nations experts have arrived in Romania to take samples from a gold mine which was the source of a deadly cyanide spill that caused extensive pollution of central Europe's rivers.

Sat 26 - Thur 24 Feb 2000

Cyanide Spill Points To Mining Safety Failures - looks at the disturbing questions the spill raises about safety and the likelihood of more such accidents.

Cyanide continues to trickle out in Romania - Cyanide levels far over the norm were measured in 15 wells near the gold mine where a massive overspill originated last month, authorities said today. On Monday, local health authorities reported melting snow carried cyanide to seven wells near the containment reservoir operated by the Aural gold mine near Baia Mare, Romania. Eight more wells were discovered today.

Tisza dead for years to come? - Concentrations of heavy metals, primarily lead, copper and zinc, lurk in the beds of the afflicted rivers and environment officials fear they could work their way into the food chain.

Ukrainian town resumes use of Danube water after cyanide spill - Vilkovo and other settlements in Ukraine's southern Odessa and western Zakarpattia regions have used water transferred from the other regions since an accident cyanide engered the Danube from a Romanian gold mine. Other settlements in Ukraine are still banned from fishing and using the water until March 9.

Soccer - Hungary fans throw fishy protest at Aussies BUDAPEST - Hungarian soccer fans hurled dead fish at Australian players during the countries' friendly match yesterday after the visitors scored their second goal in a 3-0 win.

UN: Experts Fear Huge Impact Of Cyanide Spill - World Health Organisation notes that of particular concern is that while the headlines are all about cyanide, they know that already elevated metal concentrations, including copper and lead, are being detected and this may have an additional impact on human health.

Wed 23 - Tue 22 Feb 2000

Romanian prosecutors question workers on cyanide spill - AP: Reports on Romanian investigations into accident and possible crimnal action. Also reports on cyanide levels in wells adjoinging mine and local village.

Australian Experts Probe Romania Cyanide Spill - Meanwhile, prosecutors and police in the town of Baia Mare said on Tuesday they had started criminal investigations into the accident.

Mon 21 - Fri 18 Feb 2000

Australia offers to help clean up European cyanide spill - CNN NEWS

Impact of cyanide spill may not be known for months - SMH 21/2/2000

Fears of further cyanide spill - ABC NEWS

Bulgaria wants compensation for cyanide disaster - BBC NEWS

After Cyanide Spill, River Dwellers Look to Future - REUTERS NEWS

Thur 17 - Tue 15 Feb 2000

Fears cyanide could spread to crops and livestock - ABC news

Romania admits responsibility for spill - Reuters

Esmeralda continues to deny responsibility, sends team to study cyanide spill - AAP

Mon 14 - Fri 11 Feb 2000

MPI media release 14 Feb 2000 "European catastrophe - Binding Regulation Needed To Repair Australia's Reputation"

Leaving Nothing Alive Cyanide Spill Contaminates Large Areas of Europe - ABC NEWS

Cyanide flows into Danube - SYDNEY MORNING HERALD

Cyanide spill pours across border into Yugoslavia - CNN NEWS

ABC Radio reports from Hungary - suggestions that 95% of marine life dead in upper section of river- Listen to report

ABC new story - Hungary's thirst prolonged by environmental disaster - Read transcript

MPI media release 9 Feb 2000 "Australian company cyanide spill troubles increase"

ABC National Radio - MPI comments, Mining company's record questioned - Read transcript or Listen to interview

ABC National Radio - Australian company blamed for Romanian disaster - Read transcript or Listen to interview

ABC National Radio - Gold firm suspended from ASX trade, Co. plays down damage - Read transcript or Listen to interview

MPI media release 8 Feb 2000 "Australian Company in massive Cyanide spill"

Email from Hungary, February 8, 2000