Sky Above Zenica, The (2024)

[bunniefuu]

- You can have two for 5 KM.

- Excuse me.

Two for 5.

No thanks.

The truth is...

I have to be careful what I eat.

I have cancer and only eat

home-grown foods.

It's colon cancer.

I must be careful what I eat.

Did you get the...

Not lancets...

The needles for Davud.

- You have to be 18 to get them.

- Really?

Here comes our bus.

God help us.

I was on foot and recorded it.

Emissions increase on weekends -

and at night when there is

no control.

This is how Mittal operates

on weekends.

All day long, 24 hours a day.

The factory never stops.

Right away, I grabbed my phone.

The smoke was so dark,

it's a disaster.

Someone from India came here

to open a steel factory.

Why didn't he open it in London?

You think he came to the Balkans

for my sake?

Excuse me, please.

Before the w*r we kept records of

how many people were sick.

I worked in the healthcare sector,

at the local hospital.

Cancer was never an issue.

My son has type 1 diabetes.

His friend,

our neighbours' daughter,

she got type 1 diabetes

at the age of 5.

There were no predispositions, and

no one in the family had diabetes.

It is not stress-related.

We live in a safe family setting.

The same goes for the neighbour's

daughter. She was perfectly healthy -

until she developed diabetes

at the age of five.

Today, in Tetovo dust concentrations

were between 116 to 228 g/m3.

The upper legal limit for emissions

is 50 g/m3.

And daily maximum limit is 100 g/m3.

Due to elevated concentrations of dust,

SO2 and NO2 -

the air quality

was rated very unhealthy today.

Current conditions may cause

severe health issues.

Especially for citizens with

respiratory issues.

People are advised to remain indoors.

There's a clear correlation between

air pollution and fatal diseases.

According to the WHO -

the number of deaths in BiH

caused by air pollution -

is the highest in Europe -

and second highest in the world,

right after North Korea.

- Salaam Aleikum!

- Aleikum Salaam!

We're here to do a survey,

if you don't mind.

Sure, no problem.

Okay. Fadil Bajramovi.

Throat cancer.

He is done with treatment.

Do you have regular check-ups?

He gets his check-ups.

- And he is not compensated at all.

- We know!

What do you mean 'compensated'?

Just be happy you're alive.

And Izeta Bajramovi.

When did you get sick?

- Last year.

- Last year?

Yes, last year in April.

- Also cancer?

- Yes.

- Are you in treatment right now?

- I am.

I am not cured.

I cannot get surgery.

- Cannot get surgery.

- They say it's too risky.

They worry

it might spread to the bones.

- Metastasis?

- Yes.

Did you have radiation therapy?

I had 30 radiation treatments and 6

chemotherapy sessions last summer.

I know,

he told us you were hospitalized.

- Three years ago?

- Four.

Almost. It will be

4 years in October.

It started with back pain,

and then he died.

- Throat cancer?

- Right.

You will hardly find any woman...

or any family here without illness.

Take Boban and Ipe over there...

they've both had operations

and all that.

Really?

We had no idea.

He can't talk about it

because he works at Mittal.

- I understand.

- What was the operation for?

He had abdominal issues.

Within 100 metres or even less...

There's cancer everywhere!

I don't know what else to say.

Yes, well... we, for example...

Just in this small area,

from erif's to Fadil's house -

we came across 15 or 16 sick.

We didn't cover

the entire neighborhood yet!

- Just this part.

- Ismeta also died from cancer.

- Ismeta who?

- Skomorac.

She had cancer as well.

Selihina's mom.

- Selihina's mom, yes, I knew her.

- She also died.

So did Alisa's mother-in-law, right?

Alisa's mother-in-law, Fehrida.

- She also had cancer.

- Wait! I have to write it down.

Ismeta Skomorac.

What did she die from?

Cancer.

Uterine cancer.

Fehrida also had cancer.

- Uterine cancer.

- I mean, it's like...

Like Izeta, I know.

- Did you talk to Fadil's Izeta?

- Yes, we did.

She is still in treatment,

it is ongoing.

That's it.

See you around, God willing!

- Have a good day!

- We'll be in touch.

FACULTY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

How many students are still waiting?

- About twenty.

- Twenty...

I have to stop now.

I have a meeting.

We're taking a half-hour break

because I have a meeting.

We will continue later.

You may also pick up your grades

on Wednesday.

- On Wednesday? Great!

- Wednesday or Thursday.

This is the coking plant.

If this looks right to you -

then I am Brad Pitt.

This smoke must be captured

and purified.

It needs to be filtered.

The coking plant doesn't have filters.

It has no filters!

You won't find something like this

anywhere else in Europe.

- What's in this smoke?

- The entire periodic table.

The coking plant

is the main source of benzene,

benzo a pyrene, and

other toxic substances,

which can cause cancer

and leukaemia.

And it degenerates DNA.

Please turn off the light.

- Will you lock the door, please?

- Sure.

You can sign here.

Just your name,

residence, and signature.

- Thank you!

- Have a nice day.

The coking plant is the most

hazardous part of the steelworks.

The coking plant emits toxins

that are not found in other cities.

Benzene and benzo a pyrene,

which are carcinogenic.

The biggest problem is -

that these toxins

aren't being monitored at all.

We're trying to push the Ministry -

to force ArcelorMittal to

perform measurements.

We need to know how much benzene

they are emitting -

to have evidence of their pollution.

- Great.

- Thank you!

Thank you for your interest.

Follow us.

We're trying to pressure Mittal -

to install filters and reduce pollution

but it's not really working.

- May I interrupt?

- Go ahead.

Do you know how many people

died of cancer here?

Almost every other person!

I used to work in the steelworks.

It was all roses,

until they sold it.

They got loads of cash for it, too!

I'm angry!

My nerves are wrecked.

- Sorry, don't take it the wrong way.

- It's OK. Have a nice day.

I am fighting because my son is sick.

If he weren't sick,

I might not fight.

But I do. And for all

my dear neighbours.

Some of them are no longer with us.

That is why I fight.

We have a meeting with the Mayor.

We are from Eko Forum.

- Okay? Yes, you can go.

- We can? Thank you.

The biggest problem

from the very start -

is that they aren't measuring

the benzene levels.

Edita lives in Tetovo

and knows the situation.

It is hanging over her every day,

so she knows!

Zenica is polluted with benzene

because of the coking plant -

but they refuse to measure it.

There was an agreement with

the late Mayor Huso -

that the city would co-fund

the measuring equipment.

Apparently, they bought it

but are now waiting to calibrate it.

Always some excuse!

I am your mayor, I care for

the citizens' well-being.

Your work is very important,

but our roles are different.

I have to see both sides.

Mittal is our largest investor.

I cannot do it differently.

Thank you all for coming.

Thank you, guys,

for caring about this town.

Davud.

Davud.

Davud.

Come, wake up.

Come on.

It's 6:15, come on.

Come on, baby.

Get up.

We need to do a measurement.

Where is the glucometer?

Oh, it's low.

You want me to press an orange?

- You want store-bought juice?

- Sure.

I'll bring some.

Here's your juice.

- Are you ready?

- Not yet.

What is Nutella doing here, Davud?

- Did his sugar drop?

- Yes, he drank some juice.

- What did it say?

- 3.7.

OK, then.

- Put a jacket on.

- Alright.

Ask Sumea about your jacket.

Where did you take it off?

Do you know where my jacket is?

- Here it is!

- Where?

Here.

You didn't see it.

Do you have change for the bus?

- I don't need it.

- Alright.

I already told you I have a bus pass.

The red, muddy water did not damage

flora and fauna in the Bosna River.

ArcelorMittal, Zenica understands

the citizens' concern -

and wishes to clarify the details of the

accident in the Bosna River yesterday.

ArcelorMittal is deeply concerned

with environmental protection.

We have made significant investments

in this area -

and will continue to act responsibly

towards the citizens.

Lying through their teeth.

They always say things like that,

but it's never true.

Never.

This time it happened in a river.

But when it happens in...

when they poison the air,

it doesn't matter.

Yes?

We received Mittal's press release.

Listen to this.

- No, you listen.

- Okay, I'm listening.

Mittal should not be allowed

to make such statements.

I need a statement from

the inspectors and the police.

- Not from Mittal!

- Mittal has their own inspectors.

Their inspectors are

completely irrelevant.

The only thing that gives me joy -

is that I KNOW -

the legislators are crooked.

The only thing that gives me joy -

is that they will all

burn in Hell forever.

It makes me able

to live peacefully here.

If I didn't have my faith,

I would go crazy.

I really would.

They think I care

about their statement?

Who do they think they are?

They sent it to Eko Forum,

and Samir sent it to me.

It is ridiculous and sad.

No TV station or newspaper should

publish their press release.

Who do they think they are?!

Perhaps we deserve to be poisoned,

when no one speaks up.

What to do? What to do?

The pollution of the Bosna River

in the Zenica area was confirmed -

by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

What?

Confirmed?

The FB-page "Rivers of Bosnia-Herzegovina

- Be the Change" posted a video -

showing the contaminated areas

of the river -

which indicates the source of pollution.

We are all deeply hurt

and somewhat scared -

not just for the wildlife -

but also for people's health,

so we want the culprits punished...

That is right.

Furthermore, we need to find out

what caused this.

God knows

if they'll be sanctioned.

Everyone can be bribed.

Based on this information,

police officers came to the scene -

and found reason to suspect

a criminal offense.

Our investigation of the area

is still ongoing -

and, hopefully, we will gather more

evidence of this offense.

For Zenica Info,

Vesna Jovanovi.

I don't believe a word they say.

Not a single word.

One unresolved issue with Mittal -

is article 1.2.2.

Obligation to measure the

pollution around the coking plant.

The initial permit from 2010

included the same requirement.

It was never met.

- They said it was too expensive.

- They always say that.

It was required,

but they always make excuses:

"They can't, it is too expensive."

They were told to do it.

What can I do?

How do we make them comply?

I don't understand what the

measurements are meant to prove?

To establish the presence

of benzene, phenol and benzo a pyrene -

carcinogenic particles that

have been proven to...

It takes a year to measure, right?

The production is year-round,

nonstop, 24 hours a day.

You can get a precise result

in just one month.

Minister, everything is connected

to the coking plant. Mostly.

Well, it should not be that expensive

if it's only one month.

The coking plant is frightening!

And it will show everything?

Polycyclic hydrocarbons come from

coking coal production.

Everything to do with petroleum

is extracted from coking coal -

including polycyclic hydrocarbons.

Those are the substances

that cause cancer in residents.

Lung cancer,

stomach cancer, and so on.

These are substances

that directly penetrate the cell membrane.

Yes, yes, yes.

Maybe we should not

give them the permit?

But Minister,

you saw the miner's strike!

Imagine if all 2,200 workers

from Mittal came to our door!

10,000 sick people from Zenica

could come as well.

We really need to find the best solution.

We must force them to get serious,

but people also need to keep their jobs.

Nobody ever asked

they shut down their production.

Maybe you could meet with

the federal Inspectors...

and ask them

to put pressure on Mittal.

Can we arrange a meeting,

so that we agree preliminarily?

I will coordinate it

with your schedule.

A meeting with ArcelorMittal,

Eko Forum, and the Ministry.

I think we should first meet

with Mittal alone.

We must go about it carefully,

so I don't put myself or the Ministry -

or the Minister herself in

a difficult situation.

- Okay. Thank you.

- Not at all.

Thank you.

We will get back to you.

We are from TV,

how should we credit you?

- I don't know.

- Federal Ministry of Environment?

- Yes! Federal Ministry of Environment.

- Environment and Tourism.

Let me tell you something.

Here, investors are used to getting

environmental permits unconditionally.

They set the terms and

define their needs -

and they get the permit,

the way they want.

Nobody knows what will happen

with the coking plant in the future.

The new permit must include

a strategy for that.

We insist on being part of the process,

so the public is included -

to persuade the government

to force Mittal -

to invest in the environment.

ArcelorMittal is not present

at this meeting, are they?

No, they are not.

Azra informed me this morning

that she will not attend.

It doesn't matter.

We will do our part.

What can I do?

I can't force anybody.

ArcelorMittal had an obligation in 2010

to do measurements.

They never did,

but were given the permit anyway.

- Will it be the same this time?

- You are absolutely right.

What you just asked is exactly

what I told my superiors in the Ministry.

Exactly that! What is the point of issuing

environmental permits to polluters -

who disregard

the concerns of the citizens?

What is the point?

Permits are becoming pointless.

That is why we are here.

I share your opinion.

Admittedly, it seems

we didn't live up to expectations.

The factory turned the most

valuable area into a landfill.

God knows how many thousands of

tons of waste they dumped there!

But it is hard, believe me.

There is a socio-economic factor.

Many people are fed by Mittal,

so, trust me, it's not simple.

But it doesn't mean Mittal

should not behave responsibly.

They can, but it costs!

To them, the environment is an expense,

not a benefit to the community.

That's all there is to it.

- Thank you.

- You're welcome.

Samir?

- I really can't.

- Just one?

I swear, I can't.

Please, don't be upset.

I just came down from

the Smetovi mountain.

Up there,

the sky is blue and sunny.

It is really painful

to come back down.

Look, this is the sky up there.

Right now.

I was just there.

We are so... disadvantaged.

Okay, folks.

The World Health Organisation

published a study earlier this year.

It found direct correlation -

between air pollution and sclerosis,

cognitive malfunction, and diabetes.

- He was a wonderful man.

- Yes.

Yes, indeed.

Today, it is Fadil.

Tomorrow, it may be us.

This is our final

meeting with Fadil.

If he was in debt to you, tell his family,

and they will compensate.

And if any of you were in debt to Fadil,

again, talk to his family.

And if Fadil ever insulted you,

will you forgive him?

We forgive him!

I also forgive him.

Let's pray Al Fatiha.

Let's pray Al Fatiha.

I don't have much of an appetite.

In the run-up to the elections,

a number of significant

projects were initiated.

A prime example is a new power plant

to be built in Zenica -

that will improve the city's ecology.

The new power plant will use waste gasses

from Mittal as its energy source.

We are very happy with the work of Mayor

Kasumovi and his colleagues.

We are also happy that we have

been able to facilitate -

together with EBRD

and the Finnish authorities,

a solution that will hopefully

be implemented as soon as possible.

EBRD, the European Bank,

provides a loan -

and Mittal builds

the new power plant, Toplana.

Toplana will run on filthy coking gas.

So we asked: "What will happen

with the coking gasses?"

You know, the gas must be purified

before it is used as fuel.

Their answer was, that Toplana

is independent from the coking plant.

The coking plant is part of ArcelorMittal,

and Toplana is a new company.

But who is the CEO of Toplana?

The guy from Mittal!

Do they think we are idiots?

What a perfidious way

to evade responsibility.

- Would you like some tea?

- Yes, please.

EBRD is the European Bank for

Reconstruction and Development.

GCAP is also an abbreviation

for Green City Action Plan.

They will bring experts from the EU

to draft an action plan -

which is basically a to-do list

of necessary actions -

to help solve the pollution problem.

Eight days ago, Mayor Kasumovi presented

a resolution to the city council -

to implement the Green City Action Plan

for Zenica and request a public hearing.

We are the first Bosnian city

to become a Green City Project.

As the most polluted city,

we receive a lot of EU funding!

EBRD has organized the Action Plan

for Zenica to become a Green City.

The plan contains

a list of specific activities -

as well as necessary

investments in Zenica -

to reduce pollution in the city.

There are actions and steps

designed for this period.

- Are there any penalties?

- No, there are not.

Everything is on a best-effort basis.

This is really a new approach -

to develop projects and support cities

on their green agenda.

Dear City Council members,

honourable Mayor, and EBRD delegates -

thank you all for coming -

to the presentation of the draft

Green City Action Plan for Zenica.

My name is Agnieszka Bialecka,

I am the project leader for the GCAP.

I would like to say a few words about

the Green City programme.

In terms of investment,

currently EUR 350 million

is signed under the programme -

but we have headroom of

around EUR 1.5 billion.

The fewer people driving cars into

the city, means the air quality is better.

So, this really benefits everybody.

The best way to get people active

is walking to work, walking to shopping -

making it safe

and attractive to ride bikes -

raising awareness of drivers,

to give space to cyclists,

so that bikers don't feel intimidated.

That kind of culture of cycling is

as important as hard investment.

Everybody claims the pollution problem

in Zenica is solved -

and that our air will be clean

because of the new power plant.

They might sing that song to someone

who knows nothing about it.

Coking gas causes cancer.

The filthy gas must be purified

before it is used as fuel.

When the power plant opens,

it will be using the filthy coking gas.

The European Bank says,

it cares for the environment.

They even gave us a

Green City certificate.

Let's ask them, how it can be green,

if they are using unpurified coking gas?

Hello, everyone, again today.

I have a quick presentation for you

about the EBRD, what we do -

and how we finance municipal projects.

The bank was established just

after the end of Communism.

The idea behind the bank is to support -

the development of sustainable,

well-functioning market economies.

This means that we don't just

provide money to the city -

to invest in the utility company.

We also look at the sustainability

of investments. Always!

We are an international institution

based in London,

but we are present in all the

countries that we operate in.

We work in the countries of

Central-Southern Europe,

Eastern Europe, and also

North Africa and Central Asia.

- Next month, it will be adopted.

- Hopefully.

Of course, it will be.

You didn't get to see

Mittal's facilities?

No... no.

It's a little funny...

They said no.

I guess because

they don't have the permit -

they said there was nobody on site yet,

to which I was sort of thinking -

we could still see the existing energy

centre, which would be interesting...

Aren't they next door

to each other?

Well, it is a big premise, right?

Yes, a huge site,

but I thought the new...

It is a quarter of the city.

A quarter of this city is ArcelorMittal.

Now, I am going to ask

the project consultants -

to answer questions from the public.

Large industrial facilities such as

Mittal are not included,

are not mentioned at all!

I watched the presentation yesterday

and didn't hear any comments about it.

We just pretend they don't exist.

I would like your comment about it.

We certainly did not see this as

excluding or ignoring ArcelorMittal -

or ignoring the fact of this

massive industrial site.

In Zenica, we have a mixed

industrial and urban area -

which cannot be separated.

Especially not, if we will rely on

the industry as a source of heat -

which we are doing,

which EBRD is funding,

we really cannot

ignore that fact -

and we have to have Mittal

more present here.

EBRD is very involved.

It is the main investor,

the main loan provider

for the new energy source.

Therefore,

I think it is necessary,

and extremely important to have them

present and to have their data.

If I can answer partly, Sir.

In the data collecting process, we

didn't have the register of the pollutant.

We had concentration numbers

from the automatic metering stations,

but we did not have concentration

data from Mittal for them to be...

You know how long it takes

to register the pollutants,

so we discussed that

with EBRD and the consultants.

Maybe, we could have a caveat,

in the GCAP -

like basically say:

"This is what the city can do -

and it all works in a wider context -

and the industry also needs to

follow the environmental rules."

To put it in the GCAP may be

a good idea. If the city agrees.

Sure!

We've had the public hearing...

I think it is a great exit strategy

for EBRD -

to add a disclaimer to the GCAP,

giving the information you just said.

It is perfect.

It sends a really strong message to

the decision-makers,

and it should send a strong message

to all the stakeholders -

which the city has no influence on.

But it only sends a message.

This way, the EBRD sends a message

to the federal authorities -

and those with power to change things,

to make things go faster, etc.

But it does not solve

the problem of the city!

I think that this GCAP is really tailored

to the needs of the EBRD -

to be able to give more loans

for electric busses and LED lighting, etc.

But it will not solve the problem!

It is very important

to have this disclaimer:

"This GCAP has a very bad drawback -

it lacks information

about the industry."

To make things better,

we have to do more.

All the stakeholders

have to do more.

Because this GCAP will be

used everywhere, I know.

Can I have your card?

I need to discuss something -

about the exhaust gasses

from the power plant.

It is not me.

It is not my project.

But I can direct you

to the operational leader.

Please do because we had a complaint

within the public hearing.

In the public hearing for

the environmental impact study,

we had a complaint,

which was ignored.

So I would like to find someone

from EBRD, who can...

with whom we can raise the issue

of the exhaust gasses -

for the new power plant.

So I will send you the details,

please send me an email -

about who to contact about

this joint venture -

the new power plant.

We need to open this question -

because it was pretty ignored -

by ArcelorMittal,

who wanted to put this away -

and I would like to see with EBRD

how we can resolve it.

Dear Mrs. Naessl -

EBRD provided a long-term

senior loan of EUR 41 million -

to the joint venture Toplana Zenica -

to construct a new combined

heat and power plant.

The main sources of fuel for the heating -

are Mittal's blast furnace

and coking plant.

The coking plant is an obsolete

and highly polluting facility -

owned and operated

by ArcelorMittal Zenica.

Your client refused to use the

Best Available Techniques -

claiming they cannot

realize it technically -

although this solution

is already operational -

at the plants owned by Mittal

in Belgium, Italy, and France.

Chronic exposure

to small amounts of benzene -

leads to headaches, loss of appetite,

fatigue, drowsiness,

nervousness, psychological disturbances,

and diseases of the blood system.

Increased concentrations of benzene -

have a carcinogenic and genotoxic

effect on the human body.

Benzo a pyrene is highly carcinogenic,

it can lead to DNA damage

and mutations,

has a negative effect

on brain function,

reduces the number

of leukocytes in the blood,

and reduces

the secretion of sex hormones.

Respectfully yours, Samir Leme,

Eko Forum, Zenica.

Today, ArcelorMittal Zenica opened

its new power plant with a ceremony.

Today, the most modern

energy complex in BiH opened in Zenica, -

estimated to be worth EUR 53 million.

EBRD provided the financing

in 2018 for this project -

together with local partners.

This is really a milestone

for the city and the citizens -

and for the stability of heat.

Thank you in particular,

of course, to ArcelorMittal -

who is the main partner

in this project -

but also to the Finnish companies,

to Finn Fund and...

of course, to Toplana, who will now

make this project a success.

Thank you very much.

And to the city, of course,

I forgot the city as well. Thank you.

And now a word from

Mr. Nikhil Mehta, -

Managing Director

of ArcelorMittal Zenica.

EBRD really believed in the project

and has supported it through and through,

ensuring that the funds were available

for executing a EUR 50 million project.

Zenica is the first city in BiH

to join the Green Cities of Europe.

So our heating

must also be green.

So, as long as I am your mayor,

Mittal will have my absolute support.

They did what the government

should have.

They took over

the loan guarantee for us.

Hey, Zlatan!

- How are you?

- It's freezing outside.

Take a look at this.

- Official use.

- Yes, I see.

Thank you for your query

regarding Toplana Zenica -

and for sharing the relevant

materials with EBRD.

Toplana is indeed a combined

heat and power plant.

Yes, we know that!

The EBRD does not have a contractual

relationship with ArcelorMittal -

and hence no mechanism to enforce

potential investments in the coking plant.

The bank provides financing -

to the stand-alone joint

venture company, Toplana, -

not ArcelorMittal.

The use of waste gasses from the plant

is considered BA(best available technique) -

and is part of the company's aim

at attaining EU standards.

So, this is the direct

answer from the bank.

It is the same as with the Green City.

Do you remember?

The same. They claimed Toplana

is unrelated to Mittal -

and pretended Mittal does not exist.

I mean, really...

Alright.

Is that all?

- That is it.

- See you later.

- Have a nice day.

- Bye.

- Do you want coffee now?

- Yes, please.

- Did you feed the cat?

- I did.

Wait a sec!

So, the city, the Finns,

and Mittal founded Toplana.

They asked for money and got it.

Right.

And Mittal owns most of it.

They don't care that

the blast furnace and the coking gas -

cause environmental damage?

Exactly, as it is

"not a part of Toplana."

Now they are playing dumb

and ignore my complaint.

They ignore that the coking plant

is connected to Toplana -

and cannot function without it.

It must be written somewhere

that the entire process is integral.

You cannot take just one part

and put the rest aside.

The date of the loan is...

The loan was issued on...

November 14, 2018.

Let's look up Toplana Zenica.

Toplana...

Toplana was founded

on January 23, 2019.

The loan was approved in 2018.

So, how could

Toplana sign a contract -

if it did not even exist

back then, in 2018?

They are lying.

ArcelorMittal is the bank's client.

They transferred the loan

to Toplana,

a company they owned,

but it makes no difference.

ArcelorMittal signed the contract.

I will take another look

at the project.

At the time of funding,

the project was considered compliant

with BAT standards for combined heating.

Now I need to find the BA(best available technique) definitions.

I need to find the BAT.

I cannot figure this out without it.

Best available techniques reference

document for large combustion plants.

Here it is, coking gas.

So many BATs!

Here it is.

I found it.

Technical description.

That is the sentence.

In order to optimize both energy

efficiency and environmental emissions,

these combustion plants...

which means Toplana,

are included in a process

gas management system -

that considers

the entire integrated site -

instead of each process

as a stand-alone event.

That's the sentence I need.

This is the one.

To the appeal body of the European Bank

for Reconstruction and Development.

We received a response from the EBRD

on January 18th, 2023.

They claimed EBRD has no contractual

relationship with ArcelorMittal -

and hence no mechanism to enforce

potential investment in the coking plant.

However, the loan was issued

on the 14th of November 2018,

and Toplana Zenica was registered

on the 23rd of January 2019.

According to the law, large combustion

plants are obliged to comply with -

the Best Available Technique reference

document EUR 25521 EN, which says:

"Large combustion plants are included in a

process gas management system -

that considers

the whole integrated site -

instead of each process as

a stand-alone event."

Respectfully yours, Samir Leme,

Eko Forum, Zenica.

The European Bank for

Reconstruction and Development -

has opened the complaint from Eko Forum

to reassess the Toplana project -

and see if it complies with

the bank's policies.

The core of the complaint

is that the Toplana power plant -

is being treated

as ecologically acceptable.

They are coming from London.

I don't know if they will also visit

Mittal or just us. They did not say.

Hello! Hello?

Good day!

Welcome!

When you come to an activist organisation,

you might find something like this.

How was your flight

and the weather in London?

It rained yesterday,

so a bit colder than here.

- Well, enjoy the weather here!

- Thank you, Samir.

- How much time do we have?

- Half an hour.

Half an hour?!

You have another meeting today?

Yes, we are meeting

the client at four.

Okay.

What we have found is the

Best Available Techniques.

The BAT document says:

"The combustion plants are included in

the processed gas management system -

that considers

the whole integrated site -

instead of each process

as a stand-alone unit."

So the BAT documents state

that the supply chain is integral.

It cannot be separated.

Did you manage to review, Samir,

how the bank looked at the

supply chain and the potential risks -

when they designed the project?

Yes, I asked this question publicly,

and they did not have an answer.

What we would like to know

before we leave.

For you it is not a positive outcome

if the coking plant would be closed?

- That is not what you want?

- Of course, not!

The end result is to improve

the coking plant's production?

Yes, to have the

coking plant operating -

and not polluting,

or polluting within the limits.

To have the factory work like it works in

Germany, Belgium, and other countries.

- Can I say something?

- Go ahead.

Right now, I have the feeling -

that we in Bosnia are looked at

as some kind of inferior beings.

Yet, we ask for

completely normal things!

That the laws are obeyed,

that our children are not poisoned.

That is it. We are not against

labour development and so on.

We believe

that we are just as valuable as -

people in the West or

anywhere else in the world.

And that is our only goal,

to be valued equally. Thank you.

- Thank you very much.

- Thank you.

Thank you for seeing this...

and for smelling it.

Buying old carburettors, used fridges,

old motors, old taps, old cables,

bathtubs, suitcases!

A disaster.

Excuse me.

Hello?

Good afternoon.

Excellent.

Friday at noon, meeting with

the Minister at the Ministry.

Okay, great.

Thank you very much.

Have a nice day.

Can you find your way out?

It is like a maze here.

You deserve a better office.

I do, don't I?

This is like a junkyard.

- When I arrived...

- Look what they've done.

When I arrived, I could hardly

find your office for all that mess.

You think they did it on purpose?

Take care.

The Ministry of Environment

responded to our pressure.

They have asked Mittal finally -

to do measurements of carcinogenic

gasses around the coking plant.

It is a step forward.

Good afternoon,

this is Samir Leme.

Regarding the measurements,

where are you taking them?

In the vicinity of the coking oven?

So, you go there with the van,

park it, and gather the samples?

Okay.

Mittal has finally agreed -

to keep track of the carcinogenic

pollutants around the coking plant.

They kept postponing it

for the past decade.

Now the obligation

will finally be met.

- How are you doing, Mirnes?

- How are you guys?

It should have

been done 10 years ago.

You know how things work here.

This is sent to Belgrade,

these samples, right?

- Already sent them.

- You did?

Wonderful. So these are the filters?

These glass fibres?

- And they are clean before...

- Before they are put in the device.

And you weigh it before that?

First, you condition it for 24 hours

in stable temperature and humidity.

OK.

And what did you collect down there?

Dust, right?

And benzene.

How did you measure the benzene?

We've waited years

for benzene measurements.

We bought this chromatograph

for fieldwork.

It can only measure

four components -

benzene, toulene,

ethylbenzene and xylene.

- So it doesn't need to go to the lab?

- I have the samples.

What are the results?

Let's not talk about that before

we publish it. Please, understand.

- Mittal are the ones...

- Yes, they are paying.

Then, we will ask them.

Actually, we will ask the Ministry.

They emit all sorts of chemicals.

We don't even know what it is.

But they are poisoning us.

Welcome.

- Welcome.

- Salaam Aleikum.

You can sit next to the stove.

aga, do you want coffee or tea?

- Whichever.

- Alright.

- How is the woman you mentioned!?

- We were just talking about her.

Nothing new, she is in

a vegetative state.

- Who?

- Fahro's wife, Mela.

Welcome!

How are you?

My respects.

- You already know some people here.

- Pleased to meet you.

Welcome.

How are you?

Did you bake this?

- Welcome!

- Hello!

Salaam Aleikum.

Are all my ladies here?

Make yourself comfortable!

You can sit here.

- Sit down.

- Should I sit down?

OK, wait.

Mittal's environmental permit expired -

and we pushed them to

fulfil their obligations.

One obligation was to measure -

the chemical emissions

from the coking plant.

What you just talked about,

these malignant diseases -

cancer, leukaemia, tumours,

they don't just come from

dust in the air.

They come from

coking plant emissions.

From benzene and benzo a pyrene.

There is a whole list of chemicals

that come only from the coking plant.

We made them do measurements

for four weeks -

of those chemicals around

the coking plant. It turned out -

that the concentration was 50-250

times higher than allowed.

So, if the limit is about 1 ng,

here it was 250 ng.

In order to establish a direct link

between the diseases -

and the emissions from

the coking oven,

we will perform

DNA analyses this year.

- You have heard of DNA?

- Yes.

We will take samples

from 40 people -

here from Tetovo,

who are directly affected

and from 40 who live far away -

but have similar lifestyles.

First, we have to explain

what we are doing.

- This may be tricky.

- That is one of the biggest problems.

I can understand that they want

to hold onto their jobs.

It stands,

it is a possible solution.

Yes, people need to be informed.

We need to talk to them and explain -

that our goal is not to close

the factory, only to install filters.

I would not make a statement!

I would rather not say anything -

that might help close Mittal,

the steel factory.

I would never make someone

lose their job.

What do you think is more important,

your health or a paycheck?

It's not that simple.

There are 2,500 employees.

Times 2, 3, or 4.

No one wants them

to lose their jobs.

That is exactly what I am saying.

They should not lose their jobs.

What are we afraid of?

Let's be realistic.

There are good and bad sides

to every company,

but everyone protects

their livelihood and family.

- And what if, God forbid, they get sick?

- They will get sick, either way.

It is worse

when you have no money.

By that analogy,

we should all just give up.

Will anyone in the administration

explain what Samir just told us?

- From the administration?

- No one will. It is forbidden.

- From the management?

- Yes, the steel factory and Mittal.

No employee dares speak about it.

Why should a foreign capitalist

decide for us locals -

how to fight for our health?

They should not.

But they give them

bread and money.

We can't agree

unless we respect that.

This lady is one hundred percent right,

one hundred percent! That is the truth.

It is true that they are scared.

But if you ask me,

we need to educate

the citizens first.

We do not have much time.

We only have one year.

If we drag it out, if we

are both in and out,

push and pull, I am afraid

nothing will happen.

First of all, it will be anonymous.

No name will be mentioned.

That is not allowed.

We will sign under penalty of law -

that not a single name

may be revealed.

They are completely protected

in that sense.

They will only

analyse that one group -

and another far away

to compare with.

What do you think?

Would that be something...

Some indication,

some satisfaction for you?

It is a good step forward.

Something has to be done,

because this has really

gone out of control.

I often have to open

the window at night,

but the stench wakes me up -

the stench

of what they release at night.

- They release that poison at night.

- Everyone tells us that.

Dry throat. Your throat dries up,

and you feel it is suffocating you.

I had my thyroid checked.

And that is that.

Will they find out right away

if they are ill?

- Of course.

- So it is treated in time?

If I had been treated in time,

I would not be like this.

As far as I am concerned,

you have my full support.

Everything will be alright.

I hope we will start and finish this

as soon as possible.

- Successfully.

- We will.

- Successfully.

- We will. We will not give up.

Thank you.

God bless!

Thank you for everything.

Have a nice evening.

Thank you

for having a laugh with us.

- Godspeed!

- Cheers!

I'm sorry if we did not

understand each other.

Alma, we understood

each other perfectly.

- See you later!

- Good luck!

An open invitation to participate -

in the analysis of the genotoxic

effects of air pollution -

was the topic of today's press

conference held by Eko Forum Zenica.

We would like to

invite citizens to contact us -

and fill out a questionnaire,

so we can conduct the research.

The authorities have not conducted

this research. They do not want to.

The idea originated

in the Czech Republic -

25 years ago when research proved -

that people exposed

to specific pollutants,

such as benzene, had DNA mutations.

That is why we hereby invite citizens,

aged 20 to 40, to take part.

Volunteers must meet several

requirements: they must be non-smokers,

have no specific diagnoses, and not

be undergoing medical therapy.

Salaam Alaikum!

How are you?

You can't even find ten people

who are healthy,

have no diagnosis,

and dare do it.

We made the announcement

15 days ago. Only 6 people called!

Of the 6, 3 are not eligible.

No one can be found,

so I complained...

People are afraid.

Anyway...

Sit down, dear Edita.

- Is this Turkish?

- Yes. This is Turkish, too.

- Yes, hello?

- Hello.

Can I do the DNA test with you?

- Welcome!

- Hello!

Right this way.

How far do you live from

the coking plant?

About 1.5 kilometres.

Have you had orthodontic treatment,

such as braces?

No. OK.

- How far do you live from the factory?

- Just over one kilometre.

- Salaam Alaikum.

- Alaikum Salaam.

This is saline.

It is cold and salty.

Do you have family members

with chronic diseases or tumours?

Yes.

Welcome, let's go upstairs.

Have you felt distress

after spending time outdoors -

in areas with noticeable air pollution,

e.g., respiratory distress?

Mostly coughing.

INSTITUTE FOR GENETIC ENGINEERING

AND BIOTECHNOLOGY

LAB FOR CYTOGENETICS

AND GENOTOXICOLOGY

Great.

Thank you.

Great.

Thank you very much.

What are the future plans of

ArcelorMittal in Zenica?

I will give a

very brief answer to this.

ArcelorMittal Zenica plans to continue

with sustainable steel production -

in a sustainable

and environmentally-friendly way.