A coal excavator in the open mine field in Vreoci. The EBRD’s recently financed project, Environmental Improvement to the Kolubara Plant, justifies its success by reducing 200,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions. However, the coal reserve intended for use in the coming years at the Kolubara Plant represents 500 million tonnes of CO2 that will be released into the atmosphere, dwarfing the environmental improvements.

Simic in front of his house in Radljevo, which is damaged by tremors from the nearby mining activities. Tremors and heavy noise are every day occurrences in the villages around the Kolubara mining complex.

Coal fires in the open mine in Vreoci. This phenomenon called “spontaneous combustion” is an oxidation reaction that occurs naturally. Coal fires are highly hazardous to the health of the communities around the mine and emit a range of gases, including toxic substances, carcinogens and heavy metals.

Children playing at the schoolyard of Vreoci. The Vreoci school is only 400 metres from the open pit of the mines. Some students have left, while others await resettlement.

A blocked road by the mining operations in Vreoci. Villagers are not notified ahead of time about road blockages or other Kolubara mining activities.