Abid Lolić Brown Coal Mine
Above remediation valueMedia tested
Summary
Brown coal mine in the Travnik municipality. Preliminary testing of soil, subsoil, water and sediment found elevated concentrations of several heavy metals, with the most pronounced exceedances for selenium and nickel in soil. The site lies near the Bila river and the Lašva basin, a residential community and a primary school. The general conclusion of the report is that the location requires further detailed analysis.
Assessment findings
Findings of concern
- In the soil at the mine area, elevated heavy metals — most notably selenium and nickel — were found at a level indicating that cleanup is needed.
- Elevated lead and zinc were also found in the soil.
- Several metals of concern were found in the sediment.
- The site lies near the Bila river, a residential area and a primary school, which raises the significance of these findings.
Positive findings
- The water of the lake at the closed pit, which is used for fishing and swimming, was tested and met all limits.
- Pollutants associated with oil and combustion were below limits in every soil and sediment sample.
- Sediment in the lake was less affected than elsewhere on the site.
Photo gallery
The project results have been submitted to the competent institutions as a basis for improving regulation and for strategic planning of further activities.
Legal basis
- Decision on the characterization of surface and groundwater, reference conditions and parameters for water status assessment and water monitoring (Official Gazette of FBiH No. 01/14)
- Decree on the conditions for the discharge of wastewater into the environment and public sewerage systems (Official Gazette of FBiH No. 26/20, 96/20, 01/24)
- Rulebook on limit and remediation values of polluting, harmful and hazardous substances in soil (Official Gazette of RS No. 82/21)
Due to the absence of reference values for soil and sediment in the Federation of BiH, the Republika Srpska rulebook is applied as a reference framework to ensure methodological consistency between the entities.