EPM Secretariat
str. Donath 67, 400293 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Website: www.EPMining.ro

Mission: The Environmental Partnership for Mining (EPM) is an extensive network of professionals and concerned people examining possibilities of restoring and/or ensuring environmental integrity in mining sites in Romania in support of its sustainable development.

Introduction

EPM is a focal point for addressing relevant issues and policies of a generic nature at national level and of a specific nature at regional level. This initiative is encouraged by the mining, environmental, and research industries, and both governmental and non-governmental organisations.

In a period of intense restructuring of the mining industry within Romania, this partnership's immediate role is to assist in facilitating the correct resolution of the associated significant environmental and sustainable development issues.

Members benefit from sharing expertise, exchanging information, and contributing to national discussions on important environmental and sustainable development issues

EPM argues that the responsible re-launching of the mining industry in Romania could substantially assist the accession process of Romania to the EU and the resolution of serious sustainability issues, as defined by related economic, social and environmental issues.

A central requirement for this to happen is a strong, united, and balanced economic, social and environmental basis, resulting from informed discussion and the detailed examination of all the components of any project proposed. This is even more particularly desirable in areas previously badly affected by mining due to little regard for these values in the past, with poor balancing of economic, social and environmental aspects.

It is proposed that the initial EPM action will generate as a minimum:

• a picture of the choices that mining communities currently face,
• specific factual information on existing or proposed mining projects,
• relevant information on social, environmental and economic (sustainable development) issues within the context of areas impacted by these projects ,
• site visits to mine sites to fully and professionally assess their situation first hand,
• informed discussion leading to effective action by multiple parties - thus providing a robust basis for sustainable development through diversification of its origin,
• co-operation on research and environmentally related projects,
• promotion of internationally accepted best practice, technology and experience,
• case studies and experiences leading to contribution to BAT (Best Available Techniques) documents that can be used for similar sites in other parts of Romania and neighbouring regions, and for education and training.

All partners who join the EPM commit to contributing to the constructive support and/or criticism of the redevelopment of an industrial sector of importance to Romania in a manner that supports sustainable development - a goal that in the Europe of today is desired by all.