Residents of a Serbian village near Bor are demanding urgent protection as mining operations move closer to their homes, school and cemetery. Families in Krivelj say they have waited more than a decade for relocation while the nearby copper mine continues to expand.
The Krivelj mine expansion has raised concerns about residents’ safety and living conditions.
According to the Platform for Social Development and Innovation (CORE), Serbia Zijin Copper is conducting mining activities increasingly close to residential areas.
Residents report frequent blasting, ground vibrations, noise and dust. They also claim that mining operations have damaged houses and parts of the village cemetery.
The organization warned that some mining activities may lack the necessary permits. Authorities have not publicly established all the alleged violations.
Krivelj Mine Expansion Raises Safety Concerns
The village lies near the Veliki Krivelj open-pit copper mine in eastern Serbia.
CORE says mining operations have moved dangerously close to occupied homes. Heavy machinery reportedly operates near residential properties throughout the day and night.
Some houses have already been purchased and demolished. However, other families continue living immediately beside the demolition sites.
Residents fear that the ongoing work could further damage their properties.
Milan Ćosić, a Krivelj resident, said villagers feel strong vibrations inside their homes whenever blasting takes place.
He also reported cracks in walls and uncertainty about whether families should repair their properties or wait for relocation.
The situation has raised concerns about the village’s long-term future.
Resident Jasna Tomić warned that relocating families individually could destroy the community’s identity and traditions.
She emphasized that relocation involves more than replacing one house with another. Residents also want to preserve their social connections, cultural heritage and community life.
Residents Have Waited More Than a Decade for Relocation
Serbian authorities began planning the area’s redevelopment in 2014. The process was intended to address mining expansion and the possible relocation of Krivelj.
However, residents still lack a confirmed relocation date and clear information about their future homes.
Serbia’s Ministry of Mining and Energy announced relocation preparations in 2023.
In August 2026, local broadcaster RTV Bor reported renewed planning for a possible settlement at Trujkanov Potok.
Officials mentioned a 12-month period for preparing planning documents. That timeline does not mean residents will move within a year.
Meanwhile, CORE is calling for stronger oversight of mining operations and immediate measures to protect residents.
The organization also wants authorities to investigate alleged violations and ensure that the relocation process remains transparent.
It has urged officials to involve residents directly in decisions affecting their homes and community.
The organization argues that residents should not face increasing safety risks while waiting for administrative procedures.
For families in Krivelj, two questions remain unanswered: how authorities will protect them now and when they can finally relocate.
