Municipal councilors from Chelopech work for Dundee Precious

Nine municipal councillors from the 11-member Municipal Council in Chelopech face a conflict of interests, because they or their family members work in Chelopech Mining EAD, a subsidiary of Dundee Precious Metals, a company which deals with the extraction and processing of copper and gold ore from the Chelopech mine and the production of copper-gold concentrate. “It is this company that has caused the environmental problems of the municipality,” non-governmental organisations warned. Residents of the village of Chelopech complained about the managers' lack of concern for people's problems. “We will file a complaint with the European Commission about the outrageous behaviour of the concessioner and the environmental genocide to which he subjects us,” they said.

Local people are subjected to every-day explosions and tremors. The polluted air is their smallest concern, because their homes are falling apart. Environmentalist Doncho Ivanov from the Sustainable Development Coalition pointed out that the Chelopech mine has increased its annual production three-fold and this has practically increased the adverse effect on people three-fold. The village is constantly threatened with explosions, noise and dust. “Our homes are cracked. Our soil is poisoned,” Rayna Dimitrova, resident of the village, said. “What else can we expect from these invaders? We breathe the poison, while the company exports the profits,” Mrs. Dimitrova said. She complained about the impudent and irresponsible attitude of institutions towards the people of Chelopech. Mrs. Dimitrova accused Chelopech Mining of a predatory seizure of Bulgaria's riches. She insisted that the company should compensate the victims for their destroyed homes. “Let our voices be heard. Everybody has been ignoring us for 7 years, including the mayor,” Maria Uzunova said.

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