ROMANIA – The inhabitants of Geamana village had to evacuate, and their once joyful home became a colorful, hazardous waste-filled lake due to the nearby copper mines’ toxic discharge.
According to the American travel magazine Atlas Obscura, Geamana village, located in Alba County, approximately 30 kilometers northeast of Alba Iulia city, enjoyed prosperous times, with its residents leading happy lives.
In the photo is the spire of a church rising above the polluted water. Photo: Cristian Lipovan
However, in 1977, copper mines were discovered in the Apuseni Mountains near Geamana. Nicolae Ceausescu, the leader of Romania at the time, decided to exploit these mines and considered Geamana village as the “perfect bowl” to contain his newly concocted toxic soup. In 1977, Ceausescu ordered the complete evacuation of the entire village to flood the area.
The photo shows the water with patches of green and red, representing the toxic substances discharged from the mine. Photo: Cristian Lipovan
Initially, the Rosia Poieni mine produced 11,000 tons of copper ore annually. The mining activities generated a substantial amount of hazardous waste that needed proper disposal.
A grave submerged in the waste water. According to the science magazine ZME, the government had promised to relocate the graves before releasing the water, but this promise was left unfulfilled. Photo: Cristian Lipovan
Residual iron and sulfur created patches of discoloration in the water. When photographer Cristian Lipovan visited in 2019, he noted that everything was contaminated, from the water to the vegetation and animals. The rising water level posed a threat to the few remaining residents in the vicinity. Photo: Cristian Lipovan
The church submerged in the dawn light. Photo: Zastavki
Four hundred families had to evacuate as the village turned into a “bowl of toxic soup.” As copper mining expanded, the area of the waste water reservoir grew, gradually swallowing the entire village. The only remnants of the village that remained visible were the church and a few scattered houses.
Initially, residents were told they would be relocated to a new village just 7 kilometers from Geamana, but in reality, they had to travel 100 kilometers away. Each household received a small government subsidy and a piece of land. Photo: ZME
Some residents’ homes still stand in the abandoned village. Reports from 2019 indicated that the water in the reservoir continued to rise, nearly 1 meter per year. Photo: Cristian Lipovan
An image of the water reservoir containing toxic cyanide and various other chemicals, taken in March 2014. According to ZME, Romania is considering another mining plan in the area. However, residents are opposing it due to concerns about potential environmental disasters.
Today, Geamana has become a destination for adventurous tourists. On TripAdvisor, a user named MPOT mentioned visiting in August 2019 and seeing some people still living and raising cattle in the area. Photo: MPOT
Geamana village before and after being submerged by toxic waste. Photo: boredpanda.com
