PS: Sakova's Mining Bill Takes Rights Away from People

Bratislava, 13 October (TASR) – The Economy Ministry plans to limit the rights of citizens and local governments through an amendment to the Mining Act, and the proposed changes would also legally entrench the principle of “about you without you”, the opposition's Progressive Slovakia (PS) party warned on Sunday. „This is a dangerous and unfair proposal that prioritises the profits of mining companies and a narrow group of beneficiaries over public health, the environment, and any other activity besides extraction,” said the party in a statement. Tamara Stohlova, who chairs the House Committee for Agriculture and Environment, criticised the draft law for removing the right to appeal decisions made by the mining authority. „The ministry wants to take away one of the last tools available to citizens, local authorities, farmers, and businesses to defend their land from inappropriate mining projects,” said Stohlova. According to her, without the right to appeal, several past projects – including those threatening the Tokaj vineyards or jobs in the Podpolanie region – would not have been stopped. „It was precisely due to public appeals that these senseless plans were halted. Now (Economy) Minister (Denisa) Sakova wants to take that right away from us,” she added. The proposed legislation would also allow the mining authority to set extremely short deadlines for public response – as little as one day. In contrast, mining companies would be able to pause their proceedings indefinitely and add applications for years. „The ministry is superficially relying on European legislation but is grossly exaggerating its scope. The EU Critical Raw Materials Act does not strip people of their rights and certainly does not aim to facilitate the mining of gravel or other common materials,” said Vice-President of the European Parliament Martin Hojsik. He emphasised that during the law’s adoption, he fought to ensure that citizens would retain their right to co-decide on supported projects and that those projects must have genuine value. According to Hojsik, Economy Minister Denisa Sakova (Voice-SD) is twisting the EU’s good intentions against the people of Slovakia. He also warned that the changes could allow mining companies to avoid responsibility for environmental disasters such as the pollution of the Slana river. „This is an unacceptable and clear attempt to prioritise the interests of mining companies over the public interest. It’s about our country and whether we will have the right to protect it from irresponsible mining. If we let this pass, decisions about our future will be made by those interested only in short-term profit,” Hojsik concluded. mf