Turov. Czechs are satisfied with the work of the underground wall

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala assessed that Poland has complied with the agreement on mining at the Turov mine. He added that some organizations and individuals opposed the Czech-Polish agreement from the very beginning, so it is not surprising that they are now trying to annul it. This position is shared by environmental activists from Poland, the Czech Republic and Germany. From the beginning, they argued that the wall was in the wrong place and would not prevent the water from flowing out.

Polish-Czech dispute over Turov

The satisfied comment is a reaction to information from the Czech Geological Survey (CGS) that despite the construction of an underground wall, groundwater is still flowing from the Czech Republic into the Polish mine.

CGS director Zdeněk Venera announced on Monday that data from four wells monitoring lava on the Polish side had confirmed its viability. The level in the nearest wells increased from 0.63 meters to 4.17 meters. However, on the Czech side, the water continues to recede.

— From the very beginning it was clear that the positive impact of the underground sealing barrier on the territory of the Czech Republic would be delayed. Of course, we want to test this with an updated hydrogeological model by June 2024,” Fiala said.

Anna Moscow about cooperation with the Czech Republic on Turov

A few days ago, climate minister Anna Moskva spoke on Polish Radio in a similar tone. She assured that cooperation with the Czech side on the power plant in Turov is going well.

– A fund for small projects has been created. We send information to each other about noise and air quality monitoring, PGE is building an underground barrier to protect water from both sides, so the work is carried out calmly and in dialogue,” she said.

– A very good time in Polish-Czech relations after this period of turbulence and Turov, under the previous government of Prime Minister Babiš. The government of Prime Minister Fiala is a completely different quality and a completely different conversation, understanding of most topics, but also of specific projects - there is a gas connection between Poland and the Czech Republic, it’s about something else, - Anna Moskva added.

Positive verdict of the Supreme Administrative Court in the case of Turov

In July, the Supreme Administrative Court overturned the decision of the Voivodeship Administrative Court in Warsaw regarding the Turow mine. At the end of May, the voivodship court decided to suspend mining at the Bogatynia mine.

In the reasoning of the decision of the Supreme Administrative Court, it was stated that the court of first instance, when considering complaints, should take into account the consequences of the execution of the decision not only in the context of the applicant’s situation, but also take into account the broadly understood public interest and the interests of other participants in the process. The Court emphasized that energy security is a constitutional value, as it is one of the guarantees of the independence of the state and the security of its citizens.

In February, the Ministry of Climate and Environment granted a concession for the Turov mine until April 27, 2044. German and Czech environmentalists oppose the activities of the mine.