Virtual workshop

In the framework of the NETMIN project, MS nr. RORS-308 conducted by Politehnica University Timişoara (Romania) and the Institute of Mining and Metallurgy Bor (Serbia), the Romanian lead partner organized a new workshop, in virtual format, on Friday, 6 November 2020.

The workshop created the platform for disseminating information on environmental projects in mining or former mining areas, as well as for inviting new members in the “Network for enhancing environmental protection from pollutants of mining cross border areas”, created within the project. Assoc. prof. dr. Cornelia Muntean (UPT, project manager) explained the main steps taken in the project, welcoming the participation of professors, students, master’s students, young researchers, and project partners in Serbia in the event. On behalf of the Mining and Metallurgy Institute Bor (Serbia), Dr. Ana Kostov has brought the message of interest and collaboration, which, although it continues through online platforms only, does not slow down, while the project gets close to its completion.

Assoc. prof. dr. Marius Gheju (Coordinator for Environmental Pollution Assessment and Remediation, UPT), presented the results of the assessments on contamination of water, soil, and vegetation with heavy metals in mining areas of Banat. Dr. Daniel Duda-Seiman (Victor Babeş University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timişoara) presented the effects of heavy metal pollution on human health. Prof. univ. dr. Radu Şumălan (Banat University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Timisoara “King Michael I of Romania”) spoke about the possibility of remediating polluted soils using the power of plants that can be grown in the contaminated areas. He presented the cup plant, tested as a viable alternative for remediation of soils polluted with heavy metals.

The participants’ questions demonstrated the high interest towards bioremediation as means of sustainable interventions to improve the quality of the environment.