Chromium tailings near Jegunovce still exposed, Rashche water at risk

More than one million cubic metres of tailings contaminated with hexavalent chromium remain exposed to the open air at a landfill near Jegunovce, located roughly one hundred metres from the nearest homes and a few kilometres by air from the Rashche spring that supplies drinking water to some 600,000 residents of Skopje.

Working groups but no visible site work

Despite the formation of working groups, analyses and technical reports, authorities have not yet taken tangible on-site steps to reduce the risk of chromium leaking and permanently contaminating the Rashche water source. No protective fence has been erected, leaving the toxic waste — spread over seven and a half hectares and piled to a height comparable to a twelve‑storey building — accessible to anyone.

Minister of Environment Muamet Hodža said the problem is at the top of his priorities and that the findings of the report by the Construction Institute Macedonia (GIM), prepared in 2024, are incorporated into the guidance for further action.

"The information from the first working meeting has been delivered to the Government and concrete steps are being taken. In the next period the fence will begin to be installed, and we will review the other conclusions of the working group," Hodža said.

In April this year the minister said that five to seven options were on the table for dealing with the toxic waste. Technical studies exist but lack precise financial and timeline estimates; the main scenarios under consideration include relocation to another site or transfer to a purpose-built disposal facility designed to prevent further contamination.

The budget rebalance cut funds from the environment ministry that had been allocated for construction of a treatment plant in Skopje, and the ministry currently has money reserved to meet obligations through the end of the year.

Today Hodža presented five new digital platforms that will publish environmental data for the public, including live emissions from all major polluters holding A-integrated permits, locations of illegal dumps and video surveillance. He said the platforms will also reduce around 30 administrative steps within the ministry.

Ognen Chancharevic

Photo: press material from the event