NGO Declic managed to block gold and copper mining in Rovina of the Canadian company Euro Sun Mining — the largest gold and copper mining project in the European Union.

Mining Watch Romania announced that Declic became the owner of three plots of land strategically located in the landfill area. “It is not clear how Euro Sun can continue the project without the approval of landowners”, Mining Watch Romania said.

“The Rovina project, just like Roșia Montană or Certej, failed to obtain a social permit to operate. And this is a project challenged by the locals. After the experiences of the Roșia Montană and Certej projects, Euro Sun Mining investors should stay away from Rovina”, said Tudor Brădățan, executive director of Declic.

The Rovina gold deposit, the second largest in Europe, holds resources estimated at 204 tonnes of gold and over 635,000 tonnes of copper. Earlier this year, Euro Sun received approval of the Romanian authorities for the initiation of the strategic environmental assessment of the project, an important step towards obtaining the permit for extraction facilities, reported Romania Insider. After having received government approval, Euro Sun Mining listed its shares on the London Stock Exchange.