site.btaResidents of Suhindol Protest Investment Proposal to Build Basalt Quarry Next to Town

The residents of the town of Suhindol, Northern Central Bulgaria, are fighting an investment proposal to build a basalt quarry in the municipality. They held a protest rally outside the regional environmental authority in nearby Veliko Tarnovo where a meeting of an expert council and local people took place to discuss the project and its environmental impact.

During the meeting, residents and members of a local pressure group called You Decide – Suhindol, claimed that such an investment would disrupt the environmental balance in the region. They are determined to hinder the project despite the municipal administration’s support.

According to Velin Vichev, the quarry, which would cover 75 ha of land, would destroy fertile soil. The planned blasting operations – six per month – would the stability of houses, as well as air and water quality in the region, he said.

The basalt quarry is not the only one controversial project that is being considered by the municipal administration. The other one is a 900 ha photovoltaic park. Petar Dimitrov, who is one of the protestors, pointed out that the two projects will be next to each other, meaning that a large area will be deforested and damaged. "This will turn the area into a desert where vines and other crops could no longer grow since the local climate will be altered," he commented.

Ivan Karagyozov of You Decide – Suhindol expressed hope that experts will assess the project as unfeasible.  "The investor will receive all the benefits, while harming nature and people’s health," he argued.

The plan is that the quarry will be located on top of a 470 h hill with Suhindol nestled at its foot. The nearest houses are only 1 km away from the future quarry, said Karagyozov.

Local people's fear is that if the quarry project goes ahead, the wind will carry dust and fine particles over the town, neighbouring villages, and fertile fields from the hill. They also say that the project threatens local supply as all local water sources stem from Suhindol Hill.

MP Angel Yanchev of the Vazrazhdane party was among the protesters. He said that more than two weeks ago he received a petition signed by 140 residents of Suhindol (with population of over 2,000) and nearby Koevtsi, that opposed the basalt quarry.