Western Balkans Environment Programe

Mojkovac, metal mining complex located in the northern part of Montenegro.

Tailing Mine Impoundment (TMI) has been formed in the area between right riverbank of Tara and western side of urban zones of Mojkovac. TMI occupies an area of 19 ha and approximately 2 million m3 of disposed tailing impounded materials. TMI has been designed and constructed through three stages: the first one up to the peak elevation of 801 ASL (above sea level), the second up to 805 ASL, and the third and final stage, up to 807, 5 ASL. TMI construction followed a principle of a complete isolation from the water current, i.e. Tara River. From the beginning to the end of the technological processes in the mine, all of flotation tailings have been impounded into this area.In order to provide the progress in cleaning-up activities at the hot spot location, the proposed intervention is aimed to provide support in the implementation of the Phase I and Phase II of the Technical Design Project "Remediation and Recultivation of the Mojkovac Lead and Zinc Tailings Mine Impoundment" (financed by the Government of Montenegro and various bilateral donors). According to the Technical Design Project the complete clean-up activities are planned to last up to five years, with the estimated amount of USD 10,932,944 needed for remediation and recultivation activities. The implementation started in 2003.

Through the UNDP Country Office Montenegro, the Government of the Netherlands financed part of the works on Phase I and will finance part of activities in Phase II, as well activities which will aim to support capacity building, demonstration activities, information sharing, implementation of pilot projects and Strengthen supply of professional consultancy services.

National Montenegrin Component of the Western Balkans Environmental Programme will deal with the Mojkovac municipality where the Lead and Zinc Mine ‘Brskovo' has been operating from 1976 to 1991. The UNDP intervention in the municipality, as was in principle agreed on the regional level, will include the technical, remediation works in the area of the Tailing Mine Impoundment (TMI) of the ‘Brskovo' mine and capacity building for the local and national stakeholders in the area of the effective environmental management.