Western Balkans Environment Programe

The study tour "Potentials for Tourism Development on Rehabilitated Mine Sites"was organized in Slovenia, from 6th to 10th October 2008. Participants at the study tour were:   representative of Mojkovac Municipality, Director of the Tourist Organization of Mojkovac, geologist from the Geological Institute of Montenegro and the UNDP Montenegro representatives.

Purpose of the visit was to explore the options for further viable use of the existing abandoned mining site as tourist destinations and consequently possibilities for providing economic benefits for local populations.

Two rehabilitated mining sites in Slovenia were visited, Podzemlje Pece and Idrija. Participants had a chance to meet:

• representatives of management authorities of the mines and museums,
• mayors of the municipalities where the mines were operating, as well as
• representatives of tourism sector in visited municipalities.

Having in mind the conditions of the abandoned lead and zinc mine site ‘Brskovo" in Mojkovac, participants were especially interested in following:

• process of closing the mines (expertise, plans, stakeholders involved etc),
• use of the rehabilitated mine sites in tourist and educational purposes,
• funds/programmes for development of the mine as tourist attraction,
• management of the rehabilitated mine sites and museums,
• initiatives for international protection of the rehabilitated mine sites as geo-parks or  UNESCO world heritage sites,
• establishment of networks with other similar sites in the region.

During many different meetings/presentations/discussions participants gathered valuable information on all the above mentioned topics and agreed further cooperation with the experts from both "Podzemlje Pece" and "Idrija", who are willing to provide all expertise and help on the process of proper closing the mine, as well as on preparing new joint initiatives for viable use of existing resources.  Representatives of Mojkovac Municipality invited our hosts from "Podzemlje Pece" and "Idrija" to come to Mojkovac and agree further concrete steps of cooperation.