Explosion Kills Albanian Miner

Tirana, Nov. 6, 2008 (AENews) A miner was killed in an uncontrolled explosion at a chromium mine in the town of Bulqiza, in northern Albania. The 47-year-old father of two became the 14th miner to lose his life in the chromium mine in the last two years.

Police are still investigating the blast that happened at a 800 meter depth and have not come out yet with an official version of the incident.

Chromium is Albania’s biggest mineral resource, and is one of the country’s main exports. In 2007, Albania exported more than €130 million in chromium, nearly one-fifth of the country’s total exports.

Although chromium prices have risen in recent years in international markets, investment in safety have see little improvement.

Work-related deaths and injuries have been rampant in the Bulqiza mine which till the end of 2007 was operated by an Italian company, DARFO, which the Economy Ministry admits breached its contract, owing to its failure to invest in the manner that the concessionary agreement envisaged.

In the end of 2007, DARFO’s concession was bought by Albanian Chromium, ACR, owned by the Austrian Deco Metal and the Russian group, TERWINGO.

Alban Bala, a spokesperson for the company, told Balkan Insight that the new owners have made strong improvements to the mine, noting that its former owners had left the company in a catastrophic state.

“ACR has presented an investment plan of more than €30 million which is currently being implemented,” said Bala.

According to Bala, DARFO had failed to invest more than $22 million in the mine, which were part of the concessionary agreement.

“ACR found the mine in catastrophic conditions when it acquired it, which explains the large number of fatalities,” said Bala. “The safety conditions were beyond critical, equipment was primitive and workers’ training was found lacking,” he added.

The government’s inaction for more than five years against DARFO appears to confirm fears that even when mining companies operating concessionary contracts fail to uphold their agreements for long period; the Albanian government is unwilling to act.

A Balkan Insight investigation in August discovered that these companies that have won major concessions from Albania to operate precious copper, gold, chromium and silver mines are failing to uphold their contracts. Read more: Investors Abuse Deals to Tap Albania’s Riches

Contributed by Balkaninsight.com

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