THE CITY of Košice is against a proposal to mark off almost 300,000 square metres of land near the city's Jahodná recreational area for a uranium mine. The Canadian company Tournigan Gold Corporation (TGC) is interested in mining uranium and molybdenum in this area. The city is the exclusive owner of the land in question.
Košice argues that the land lies in a protected area that includes the city's water reservoirs.
Acting Mayor František Knapík complained that city officials had not been given any documentation by the mining authority or the company.
The city says it is willing to talk with TGC to clarify the company's plans and the mining methods to be used. Under certain circumstances the city would be willing to negotiate with TGC to rent or sell the territory, Knapík said.
Last year TGC did some trial bores at Jahodná that confirmed the presence of uranium and molybdenum. The value of the deposit is estimated at Sk7 billion (€180 million) at current world uranium prices.
