Mining Watch Romania calls on PM Ciolacu to halt renewal of Certej mining project license, 28 February 2025

Mining Watch Romania, the mining projects monitoring network founded by activists of the Save Rosia Montana campaign, is calling on Prime Minister Ciolacu to halt the process for the renewal of the Certej mining license and to ensure transparency in the management of Romania's natural resources.

In an open letter to Prime Minister Ciolacu, Mining Watch cautions not only of the disastrous environmental implications of the project, but also of the alleged connection between mining magnate Frank Timis and the legally embattled former presidential candidate Calin Georgescu, as an ongoing criminal investigation revealed.

Writing on behalf of over 23,000 citizens who signed the petition against the extension of the mining license for the Certej gold deposit, Mining Watch notes that recent judicial investigations have revealed deeply problematic links between Calin Georgescu and Frank Timis, the initiator of the Rosia Montana and Certej controversial mining projects. These investigations found that Georgescu promised to give the go-ahead for gold mining in Romania, including at the Certej project, in exchange for financial support for his campaign.

This direct involvement of a presidential candidate in negotiations with a disreputable mining magnate for evident political and personal gain seriously undermines the integrity of decision-making at the highest levels of government and endangers Romania's economic and environmental security...The Ciolacu government's extending the license under the same conditions of lack of transparency and shunning public consultation raises numerous suspicions regarding the bartering of Romania's resources for political purposes by those involved in the electoral struggle, the activists say...

In addition, the Canadian company Eldorado Gold recently announced its intention to sell its majority stake in the Certej project, which adds another layer of uncertainty regarding the future of the exploitation. In such a volatile context, any decision to extend the license, taken behind closed doors, could facilitate the project's transfer to shady entities, with potential serious repercussions on national security and economic stability...

The activists therefore urge the prime minister to immediately halt any process for the renewal of the Certej mining license, stating that it is imperative that the Romanian government puts the interests of its citizens and of the state above any obscure personal or financial arrangements, especially in the context of such a sensitive issue as the exploitation of natural resources...