Quoted in INDEPENDENT
In eastern Serbia, the village of Krivelji has been badly effected from pollution and environmental change caused by mine. Their men have been guarding a barricade on a bridge in Krivelji to refrain trucks from entering the mine operated by Zijin Mining Operators.
But the men have to go for work. Hence, since January, Krivelji’s women have taken turns guarding the barricade. They are constantly fighting to relocate their community due to damaging impact of a nearby copper mine.
These women includes the three span of generations i.e., nurses, teachers, students, and homemakers.
“We are defending our village and houses where we were born. I feel so sorry about our beautiful village, I am not sure I will survive the move,” said Stana Jorgovanovic, a 79-year-old homemaker.
“I want a new village of Krivelj. I need a piece of land, a church and a cemetery,” said Milosava Fufanovic, an elementary school teacher.
“If all the people leave the barricade, I will be the last standing.”
The mine has ruined the countryside causing safety and health issues among villagers.
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Although, Zijin Mining, has acknowledged this issue and agreed to relocate the community by 2025.
“These concerted efforts have directly contributed to improving the environment of the Krivelj village,” the company said in a statement to Reuters.
Until then, they have stopped the use of large trucks in the village and the villagers temporarily cleared the blockade to allow company to complete some work.
Zijin has stated it is “dedicated to formulating relocation plans with transparency and fairness”
