Medical tests in a Bosnian mining region have identified elevated lead levels in over 300 residents, including children, following a recent change in mining company ownership.
Lead Contamination in Bosnian Residents
Canadian firm Dundee Precious Metals (DPM) acquired a mine in September 2024 from the British company Adriatic Metals. Initial blood tests conducted at the end of the year revealed alarming results, with 17 out of 44 residents living near the processing plant showing elevated lead levels.
Subsequent tests conducted by health institutes in Zenica and Sarajevo expanded the scope of the investigation, discovering the presence of the metal in more than 300 people, including children.
Health Risks and Agricultural Impact
According to a report from a local health center, the results indicate long-term exposure to low concentrations of lead rather than acute poisoning. Approximately 13 percent of those tested exceeded the WHO threshold of 5 micrograms per deciliter, a level at which identifying and eliminating the source of exposure is recommended.
Lead has also been detected in the soil of surrounding farms, forcing local farmers to suspend their planting activities.
Legal Action and Corporate Response
On Wednesday, May 6, four Bosnian environmental organizations filed a criminal complaint with the Zenica-Doboj canton prosecutor’s office against both DPM and regional officials, whom they accuse of inaction.
While the company rejects responsibility, DPM has declared its cooperation with authorities and funded part of the research. In a statement, the company maintained that environmental and health issues must be assessed based on reliable expert analysis without prejudging liability.
Uncertainty Over the Source
The origin of the lead remains unknown. Because the region has been subject to mining for decades and similar blood tests were not previously conducted, it is difficult to determine if the metal arrived with the new mine or has existed in the soil and water for years.
The Ahmedović family, who have farmed and raised cattle near the processing plant for generations, must now halt their sowing. Lawyer Emina Veljović stated that residents are primarily seeking answers, noting that someone must be held accountable for poisoning children and citizens.