Roșia Montană Mining Landscape
Factors affecting the property in 2023*
- Management systems/ management plan
- Mining
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
- mining activities
- lack of planning controls / lack of management plan
Threats for which the property was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger
● Potential resumption of large scale open-caste gold mining
● Potential, cumulative impact of small-scale mining
● Water pollution from old mines
Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger
Proposed for adoption in the draft Decision below
Corrective Measures for the property
Proposed for adoption in the draft Decision below
Timeframe for the implementation of the corrective measures
Proposed for adoption in the draft Decision below
UNESCO Extra-Budgetary Funds until 2023
N/A
International Assistance: requests for the property until 2023
Total amount approved : 0 USD
Missions to the property until 2023**
N/A
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2023
The State Party submitted a state of conservation report and an update on 31 January 2022 and 1 March 2023 respectively, both available at https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1552/documents/. The report provides information on the measures implemented by the State Party in response to the decision adopted by the World Heritage Committee at its extended 44th session (Fuzhou/online, 2021), as follows:
- The process of developing a Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR), including Corrective Measures to address the recommendations of the Committee, started in December 2021 with an online meeting between the State Party representatives, ICOMOS and the World Heritage Centre, and continued with online meetings in 2022 as no Reactive Monitoring mission could visit the property due to restrictions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, and resulted in a DSOCR draft for submission to the Committee;
- Due to the arbitration process between the mining company Gabriel Resources and the Romanian government that started in 2015 and is still ongoing at the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (World Bank), related to mining permits, the State Party cannot address the following Committee recommendations and their implementation will depend on the outcome of the arbitration:
- Halting the approval of mining permits at the property,
- Developing planning controls that prevent further mining at the property;
- The General Urban Plan that was included in the annual programme of the Ministry of Development was initiated in 2022, followed by the Zonal Urban Plan in 2023. Both will be submitted in draft to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies;
- An inspection and maintenance plan for the modern header ponds is to be initiated in 2023;
- A Management Committee was established for the property in 2023. All key stakeholders will now be involved in the management of the property in accordance with the legal and management framework passed in 2021 (Government Decision no. 857/August 21, 2021), and the State Party shall commit adequate human and financial resources for its implementation;
- A comprehensive refinement and augmentation of the Management Plan has been initiated and a revised monitoring programme for the property is being devised and will be integrated into the management plan;
- A tourism management strategy will be initiated in 2023;
- An internationally supported conservation plan for the Roman remains is already under discussion and work has been completed on repairs to the Orlea Roman mining gallery at the Mining Museum;
- A major programme has been initiated to improve the state of conservation of buildings that support the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property, the visitor experience and opportunities within the local economy for residents and others.
Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 2023
As the reasons for the inscription of the property on the List of World Heritage in Danger at the last Committee session had been very well considered during the ICOMOS evaluation process, the agreement of the State Party to discuss the creation of a DSOCR through online meetings, rather than waiting for a Reactive Monitoring mission to be undertaken, was welcomed. Based on a process that allowed all key stakeholders to be involved, a DSOCR has been drafted by the State Party, which the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies assessed positively.
In the light of the difficult circumstances relating to the World Bank arbitration process between the mining company Gabriel Resources and the Romanian government, which started in 2015 and is still ongoing, the State Party considers that it cannot set a timeframe for corrective measures relating to halting the approval of mining permits at the property or developing planning controls that prevent further mining at the property until the outcome of the arbitration process is known.
For the remaining corrective measures relating to the other recommendations of the Committee on the management plan, General Urban Plan, Zonal Urban Plan, and safety of the header ponds, work has been initiated and timeframes developed. The State Party is to be commended for planning and initiating this work immediately following the inscription of the property on the World Heritage List, as it is for completing repairs to the Orlea Roman mining gallery at the Mining Museum.
A major programme for conserving key religious and secular buildings within the property that supports its OUV and enhancing infrastructure has been launched. This will also provide visitors with information and improve economic opportunities for local residents. Some projects have been supported directly by the Ministry of Culture while others have involved partnerships with local schools, non-governmental organizations and entrepreneurs. This programme will support sustainable use of the landscape by the community, which is essential for the conservation of the Roman remains.
DSOCR to be reached to allow the property to be removed from the List of World Heritage in Danger
|
Desired state of conservation |
Corrrective Measures - Summary |
Timeframe for delivering Corrective Measures |
|---|---|---|
1. Approval of mining permits at the property halted |
Halting approval of unadjusted mining activities at the property |
Not yet defined |
2. Planning controls developed and implemented that address the prevention of any activities, including mining, which have the potential to negatively impact the attributes of OUV |
Planning controls approved and implemented that address the prevention of any activity, including mining, that has the potential to negatively impact the attributes of OUV |
2026 |
3. Management committee established |
Establish a Management Committee |
Completed |
4. Management Plan revised and strengthened in relation to mining issues |
Revise and strengthen the Management Plan that address the prevention of any activity, including mining, that has the potential to negatively impact the attributes of OUV |
2024 |
5. Polluted mine water discharge from the main drainage adit mitigated |
Measures to address the issue of polluted mine water discharge from the main drainage adit |
2026 |
6. Inspection and maintenance plan for the 18th/19th century header ponds developed |
Developing an inspection and maintenance plan for the 18th/19th century header ponds |
2027 |
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2023
45 COM 7A.56
Roșia Montană Mining Landscape (Romania) (C 1552rev)
The World Heritage Committee,
- Having examined Document WHC/23/45.COM/7A.Add.2,
- Recalling Decision 44 COM 8B.26 adopted at its extended 44th session (Fuzhou/online, 2021),
- Welcomes the organisation of virtual online meetings to discuss the development of the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property form the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR) between the State Party representatives, ICOMOS and the World Heritage Centre, in the absence of a Reactive Monitoring mission due to restrictions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic;
- Adopts the DSOCR presented in Document WHC/23/45.COM/7A.Add.2, including corrective measures, while noting the need to complete the timeframes for corrective measures relating to mining;
- Notes the difficult circumstances relating to the World Bank arbitration process between the mining company Gabriel Resources and the Romanian government that started in 2015 and is still ongoing, which means that the State Party considers that it cannot address the halting of approvals for mining permits at the property or develop planning controls that prevent further mining at the property, as requested by the Committee, until the outcome of the arbitration process is known;
- Also welcomes the commitment of the State Party to ensure adequate human and financial resources for management of the property;
- Also notes the major programme that has been developed to conserve key religious and secular buildings that support the Outstanding Universal Value of the property as a means of ensuring sustainable use of the landscape by the community;
- Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2024, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property, including information on progress made in implementing corrective measures, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 46th session;
- Decides to retain Roșia Montană Mining Landscape (Romania) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
45 COM 8C.2
Update of the List of World Heritage in Danger (Retained Properties)
The World Heritage Committee,
- Having examined the state of conservation reports of properties inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger (WHC/23/45.COM/7A, WHC/23/45.COM/7A.Add, WHC/23/45.COM/7A.Add.2, WHC/23/45.COM/7A.Add.3, WHC/23/45.COM/7A.Add.4),
- Having examined the recommendations of the Advisory Bodies, decides to retain the following properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger:
- Afghanistan, Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley (Decision 45 COM 7A.51)
- Afghanistan, Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam (Decision 45 COM 7A.52)
- Austria, Historic Centre of Vienna (Decision 45 COM 7A.55)
- Bolivia (Plurinational State of), City of Potosí (Decision 45 COM 7A.18)
- Central African Republic, Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park (Decision 45 COM 7A.3)
- Côte d'Ivoire / Guinea, Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve (Decision 45 COM 7A.4)
- Democratic Republic of the Congo, Garamba National Park (Decision 45 COM 7A.5)
- Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kahuzi-Biega National Park (Decision 45 COM 7A.6)
- Democratic Republic of the Congo, Okapi Wildlife Reserve (Decision 45 COM 7A.7)
- Democratic Republic of the Congo, Virunga National Park (Decision 45 COM 7A.8)
- Egypt, Abu Mena (Decision 45 COM 7A.26)
- Honduras, Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve (Decision 45 COM 7A.1)
- Indonesia, Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra (Decision 45 COM 7A.15)
- Iraq, Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat) (Decision 45 COM 7A.27)
- Iraq, Hatra (Decision 45 COM 7A.28)
- Iraq, Samarra Archaeological City (Decision 45 COM 7A.29)
- Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls (site proposed by Jordan) (Decision 45 COM 7A.31)
- Kenya, Lake Turkana National Parks (Decision 45 COM 7A.10)
- Libya, Archaeological Site of Cyrene (Decision 45 COM 7A.33)
- Libya, Archaeological Site of Leptis Magna (Decision 45 COM 7A.34)
- Libya, Archaeological Site of Sabratha (Decision 45 COM 7A.35)
- Libya, Old Town of Ghadamès (Decision 45 COM 7A.36)
- Libya, Rock-Art Sites of Tadrart Acacus (Decision 45 COM 7A.37)
- Madagascar, Rainforests of the Atsinanana (Decision 45 COM 7A.11)
- Mali, Old Towns of Djenné (Decision 45 COM 7A.22)
- Mali, Timbuktu (Decision 45 COM 7A.23)
- Mali, Tomb of Askia (Decision 45 COM 7A.24)
- Mexico, Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California (Decision 45 COM 7A.2)
- Micronesia (Federated States of), Nan Madol: Ceremonial Centre of Eastern Micronesia (Decision 45 COM 7A.53)
- Niger, Aïr and Ténéré Natural Reserves (Decision 45 COM 7A.12)
- Palestine, Palestine: Land of Olives and Vines – Cultural Landscape of Southern Jerusalem, Battir (Decision 45 COM 7A.39)
- Palestine, Hebron/Al-Khalil Old Town (Decision 45 COM 7A.38)
- Panama, Fortifications on the Caribbean Side of Panama: Portobelo-San Lorenzo (Decision 45 COM 7A.19)
- Peru, Chan Chan Archaelogical Zone (Decision 45 COM 7A.20)
- Romania, Roșia Montană Mining Landscape (Decision 45 COM 7A.56)
- Senegal, Niokolo-Koba National Park (Decision 45 COM 7A.13)
- Serbia, Medieval Monuments in Kosovo (Decision 45 COM 7A.57)
- Solomon Islands, East Rennell (Decision 45 COM 7A.16)
- Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Aleppo (Decision 45 COM 7A.40)
- Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Bosra (Decision 45 COM 7A.41)
- Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Damascus (Decision 45 COM 7A.42)
- Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient Villages of Northern Syria (Decision 45 COM 7A.43)
- Syrian Arab Republic, Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din (Decision 45COM 7A.44)
- Syrian Arab Republic, Site of Palmyra (Decision 45 COM 7A.45)
- United Republic of Tanzania, Selous Game Reserve (Decision 45 COM 7A.14)
- United States of America, Everglades National Park (Decision 45 COM 7A.17)
- Uzbekistan, Historic Centre of Shakhrisyabz (Decision 45 COM 7A.54)
- Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Coro and its Port (Decision 45 COM 7A.21)
- Yemen, Historic Town of Zabid (Decision 45 COM 7A.47)
- Yemen, Old City of Sana’a (Decision 45 COM 7A.49)
- Yemen, Old Walled City of Shibam (Decision 45 COM 7A.50)
- Lebanon, Rachid Karami International Fair-Tripoli (Decision 18 EXT.COM 5.1)
- Ukraine, The Historic Centre of Odesa (Decision 18 EXT.COM 5.2)
- Yemen, Landmarks of the Ancient Kingdom of Saba, Marib (Decision 18 EXT.COM 5.3)
Draft Decision: 45 COM 7A.56
The World Heritage Committee,
- Having examined Document WHC/23/45.COM/7A.Add.2,
- Recalling Decision 44 COM 8B.26, adopted at its 44th extended session (Fuzhou/online, 2021),
- Welcomes the organisation of virtual online meetings to discuss the development of the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property form the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR) between the State Party representatives, ICOMOS and the World Heritage Centre, in the absence of a Reactive Monitoring mission due to restrictions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic;
- Adopts the DSOCR presented in Document WHC/23/45.COM/7A.Add.2, including corrective measures, while noting the need to complete the timeframes for corrective measures relating to mining;
- Notes the difficult circumstances relating to the World Bank arbitration process between the mining company Gabriel Resources and the Romanian government that started in 2015 and is still ongoing, which means that the State Party considers that it cannot address the halting of approvals for mining permits at the property or develop planning controls that prevent further mining at the property, as requested by the Committee, until the outcome of the arbitration process is known;
- Also welcomes the commitment of the State Party to ensure adequate human and financial resources for management of the property;
- Also notes the major programme that has been developed to conserve key religious and secular buildings that support the Outstanding Universal Value of the property as a means of ensuring sustainable use of the landscape by the community;
- Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2024, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property, including information on progress made in implementing corrective measures, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 46th session;
- Decides to retain Roșia Montană Mining Landscape (Romania) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Documents examined by the Committee
SOC Report by the State Party
Date of Reception: 2023" class="tag tag-outline-gray mb-2 private private-1" style="" >Report (2023) .pdfDate of Reception: 2022" class="tag tag-outline-gray mb-2 private private-1" style="" >Report (2022) .pdf
Exports
* :
The threats indicated are listed in alphabetical order; their order does not constitute a classification according to the importance of their impact on the property.
Furthermore, they are presented irrespective of the type of threat faced by the property, i.e. with specific and proven imminent danger (“ascertained danger”) or with threats which could have deleterious effects on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (“potential danger”).
** : All mission reports are not always available electronically.