The Cadastre of Mining Waste in Serbia, established with significant EU funding, has not fulfilled its intended purpose of providing comprehensive data on hazardous waste sites. Initially hailed as a major step forward in environmental management, the database currently includes limited information and fails to address active mining sites.
Despite the project’s promise, a BIRN investigation revealed discrepancies in available data, with more comprehensive information found on the ministry’s publicly accessible server. The State Audit Institution criticized the effectiveness of Serbia’s mining waste management, noting a lack of a unified database and ongoing disposal of mining waste without valid permits.
Experts have called for improvements to the Cadastre, emphasizing the need for transparent, detailed information on all mining waste sites, including active dumps. Meanwhile, the ministry has been criticized for slow responses to permit requests, leaving many operators to manage potentially hazardous waste without the required approvals. The situation raises concerns about environmental and public health risks associated with inadequate monitoring and regulation of mining waste in Serbia.
