On the last Sunday of October, 27th, another protest against the Rosia Montana cyanide mining project took place in Cluj-Napoca. People gathered at 5 pm in the Union Square where they chanted once again “United we save Rosia Montana”. People held speeches about how important it is for the project not to start and came with placards which said “Stop the exploitation”, “We want leaders who are patriots not who are thieves”, “Indifference kills” and many other messages that ought to be read. From the Union Square, they went on Eroilor Boulevard towards Cipariu Square and from then at the Prefecture where they stood and chanted. Afterwards, they marched towards Mihai Viteazu Square and then on Baritiu Street towards the City Hall. The march lasted for about 2 hours and ended in front of the City Hall where the protesters blocked the traffic.

The mining project would use cyanide to mine 314 tons of gold from the historic site, according to data from Gabriel Resources Ltd., the Canadian company behind the project. The company says it has commitments to environment and cultural heritage issues and says the project is a ”world-class, long-term and sustainable investment,” while critics say the move will destroy historic villages and ancient gold mines.

Overall there are 12 demands among which the following:

– the Parliament’s Chambers – the Senate and the Deputy Chamber – reject through vote the law proposal;

– the Government will immediately reject through governmental decision the environmental permit for the Rosia Montana gold mine;

– Rosia Montana will be included on Romania’s Tentative List for UNESCO

– Cyanide use in mining willa be strictly forbidden.

– The immediate resignation of the law proposal’s initiators: minister for big investments (Dan Şova), minister for the environment (Rovana Plumb), minister for culture (Daniel Barbu) and the director of Romania’s Agency for Mineral Resources (Gheorghe Duţu).

CNN iReport: http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1053572