On June 27, 2025, the first workshop under the project “Environmental risk assessment from mining activities as a result of tailings storage in the cross-border area Romania – Serbia – ERA-MIN_RO-SRB”, Jems code: RORS00063, funded through the Interreg IPA Romania–Serbia Programme, took place at the headquarters of the Institute of Mining and Metallurgy Bor (Serbia).

The event brought together environmental protection experts, academics, and researchers from Romania and Serbia in a joint effort to analyze the environmental impact of mining activities and to develop a coordinated approach to monitoring and reducing risks in the border region.

The workshop was opened by Dr. Daniel Kržanović, the project coordinator from the Serbian partner, the Institute of Mining and Metallurgy Bor, who stated: “We are pleased to host this first workshop and to actively contribute to the development of a cross-border scientific framework that puts real issues generated by mining activities at the forefront. The ERA-MIN project is an opportunity to collaborate and propose concrete solutions for an area historically affected by intensive resource extraction.”

During the presentation session, Dr. Nicoleta Nemeș, ERA-MIN project manager, spoke about environmental issues at active mining sites, focusing on the regions of Moldova Nouă (Romania) and Bor (Serbia), highlighting the cumulative effects of extraction activities on soil, water, and air: “Historic tailings deposits, massive deforestation, and air pollution with fine particles are turning active mining areas into critical ecological risk points. Through the ERA-MIN project, we have the opportunity to better understand these phenomena and to propose scientifically grounded interventions with real benefits for public health and environmental restoration.”

Participants analyzed modern strategies for sampling and monitoring contaminants, and in the second part of the day carried out field sampling activities in the locality of Mokranje, Negotin municipality.