Group of Romanian NGO's Issue Press Release Supportive of Rosia Montana
Project
TORONTO, July 12 /CNW/ -
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Highlights
- Romanian Supreme Court overturns previous annulment of archaeological
discharge certificate no. 4
- Romanian Court of Appeal rejects Alburnus Maior's application to
suspend the Rosia Montana EIA process
- 18 Romanian NGO's support the development of Rosia Montana, if done in
accordance with all applicable laws
>>
Annulment of Archaeological Discharge Certificate Overturned
On July 11, 2006 the Romanian Supreme Court (the "Supreme Court") decided
that the series of lower court decisions that resulted in the annulment of
archaeological discharge certificate no. 4 (the "Discharge Certificate") were
not conducted properly, and as a result, overturned the previous annulment.
The Supreme Court has referred the matter back to a new lower court, the
Brasov Court of Appeal, to be retried on its merits. Gabriel expects the
retrial to be scheduled for the fall of 2006. The retrial will not delay the
commencement of construction of the Rosia Montana project as the Discharge
Certificate relates to an area of the project to be developed later in the
life of the mine. Gabriel had previously been prevented from providing
evidence and arguments on the merits of the case in the lower court actions.
Attempt to Suspend EIA Rejected
Also on July 11, 2006 the Alba Iulia Court of Appeal dismissed the
application of Alburnus Maior to suspend the assessment process for the
environmental impact assessment ("EIA") for the Rosia Montana project.
Alburnus Maior initiated its action against the Romanian Ministry of
Environment and not Gabriel, thereby requiring Gabriel to intervene in the
action.
Alan Hill, President and Chief Executive of Gabriel commented "We are
pleased with the results of the two court decisions and have the greatest
confidence in the Romanian judicial system. We look forward to the opportunity
to present the merits of the archaeological discharge case to the Brasov Court
of Appeal. The foreign funded NGO Alburnus Maior's blatant attempt to block
and interfere with the public consultation phase of the review of the EIA
through legal action provides clear evidence of Alburnus Maior's desire to
stifle public debate on the EIA."
Romanian NGO Press Release
Finally on July 11, 2006 a group of 21 Romanian NGO's issued a press
release following their recent visit to Rosia Montana. A total of 21 NGO's
visited Rosia Montana, with 18 NGO's issuing a press release, two NGO's being
neutral on the project, and one NGO being against the project. The main
conclusions of the NGO's are:
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- If the Rosia Montana project complies with all applicable laws then
the project should proceed;
- Neither Alburnus Maior nor Pro Rosia Montana represent the interests
of the local community of Rosia Montana, but the interests of a small
group of people; and
- The opinion shared by most participants was that the Rosia Montana
area is socially, economically and environmentally disastrous and
people do not have jobs and life is very hard.
>>
In response to this press release, Alan Hill commented "The conclusions
of this group of independent Romanian NGO's confirm and support our plans to
implement best international practices in developing Rosia Montana. As these
NGO's have concluded, Alburnus Maior does not represent the interests of the
local community, but rather the interests of a small group of people. We
welcome the public consultation process and our commitment is to build a model
project that meets not only Romanian but European Union laws".
A full copy of the press release issued by the 21 NGO's can be found at
the following website: http://www.yap.ro.
About Gabriel
Gabriel is a Canadian based resource company committed to responsible
mining and sustainable development in the communities in which it operates.
Gabriel is currently engaged in the exploration and development of mineral
properties in Romania and is presently engaged in the development of its 80%
owned Rosia Montana gold project.
