Recent Researches in Tourism and Economic Development

Industrial Tourism – an Opportunity for the Development of Rosia Montana Area (, )

GAVRILA-PAVEN IONELA MUNTEAN ANDREEA-CIPRIANA Economic Department, Faculty of Science “1 Decembrie 1918” University of 11-13 Nicolae Iorga Street, Alba Iulia, Alba County ROMANIA [email protected]

Abstract: The authors of this study want to analyze the possibility of combining in Rosia Montana’s area the classic forms of tourism activity with a new form that is being drawn lately, respectively the industrial tourism. Therefore, this way, the human potential with cultural value as well as the natural potential, unaffected by the mining exploitation, can be valorized through the classic forms of tourism, while the old mining exploitation as well as the areas affected by the unsustainable exploitation of the subsoil riches in the area, instead of being avoided can be rehabilitated and opened to the tourists by unifying the efforts of all responsible economic agents for this area.

Key-Words: touristic activity, touristic potential, industrial tourism, unsustainable mining, sustainable economic development, community identity.

1 Introduction century, after which the efforts were concentrated In this study we want to analyze the possibility that on developing the touristic activity for sustaining at a certain time, tourism becomes a base activity for the local community. a community well-known through its mining Analyzing the touristic activity in this area, we exploitations, such as Rosia Montana (Alba County, must consider the fact that every tourist needs a Romania). We will analyze the possibility that such minimum infrastructure for his comfort as well as a community with a rich natural and human hand- the natural and human hand-made touristic potential made potential insufficiently valorized to be that gives the impetus for the touristic activity. included in the national touristic circuit of Romania and to offer its inhabitants viable alternatives. 2. Problem: mining or tourism? Presently, the development of Rosia Montana 2.1 The Presentation of Rosia Montana area has two main directions, each of them with its commune own adepts. Thus, being an area with mining The commune of Rosia Montana is localized in the activity tradition, the first direction is focused on northeastern part of the Metaliferi Mountains and of sustaining the Rosia Montana Gold Corporation the golden area that lies between Caraci (Hunedoara project which focuses on developing a responsible County) and Baia de Aries and (Alba mining activity in this area, without affecting the County), nearby the towns of and Campeni. environment. The second direction refers to In its structure there are 16 villages and small rejecting the development of mining activity in this villages spread on a surface of 5168 hectars: Corna, area with the community focusing on the Bunta, Daroaia, Gura Rosia, Coasta Hentii, development other activities, one of them being Curaturi, Carpinis, Soal, Vartop, Garda Barbulesti, tourism. Iacobesti, Ignatesti, Balmosesti, Tarina, Blidesti si This study aim at pointing out that the two Rosia Montana – administrative center. Its directions described above do not exclude each population is about 5000 inhabitants, their main other but they can be developed together, the mining occupation (which is related to the main source of activity giving the right value to the touristic population’s incomes) being at one moment in time potential of the area. In sustaining this idea we will the mining activity. In 2006, the mining enterprise analyze a similar region, respectively the Andalusia from Rosia Montana (ROSIA MIN) was shut down region from southern Spain, in which the mining and the majority of its employees were unemployed th activity was a tradition until the end of the 20 (Pascaru, 2007).

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The root of the mining activity in Rosia Montana Montana Gold Corporation obtains the concession is placed dates back from the Iron Age, with a license for exploitation of the gold and silver significant intensification during the roman mineral deposits, no. 47/1999 in Rosia Montana occupation (2nd and 3rd century). Until the beginning area. In 2000, with the funds from Rosia Montana of the 18th century, the mining activity in Rosia Gold Corporation starts the archeological research Montana was practiced only by the private with the participation of the teams of experts from associations, after which the state gets involved and the National Museum of Unification from Alba Iulia this involvement intensifies in the 19th century. The and of the Projection Center for National Cultural parallel extraction of the ore both by the state and Patrimony, for evaluating the archeological and private associations continues until 1948 when the architectural potential of the Rosia Montana area. subsoil riches now belong to the state; the Rosia Until now, the company offered for the researchers Montana Mining Entreprise was founded which, as approximately 11 million USD. In 2001, the we shown above, activated until 2006. “Alburnus Maior” National Research Programme, In 1981, inside the mining exploitation was was founded from the Order of the Ministry of established The Mining Museum (Sintimbrean, A., Culture. The preventive archeological research was Bedelean, H., 2000). Recently, this museum was coordinated mainly by the National Museum of restored with the financial resources of the Rosia Romanian History (Bucharest) and authorized by Montana Gold Corporation. the Ministry of Culture and Cults, bringing together In 1899, the mining from Rosia Montana was 21 specialty institutions from the country and 3 from presented at the World Exhibit in Paris, with 12 abroad. Starting from March 2001 until present, drawings showing the state mine and a beautiful Rosia Montana Gold Corporation organizes collection of mining golden flowers that impressed meetings with regional and local authorities, with the visitors. This was, if we can call it so, the first the inhabitants, as well as with the project’s major act of touristic promotion of the area. opponents, for responding to the questions related to Regarding the habitation, the ethnologists the relocating and resettlement operations. Also, observed that the typological repertoire of the during this period the feasibility studies, houses includes traditional houses for the Apuseni optimization studies for the production capacities, Mountains’ area and specific shapes for the fair general and detailed projection studies for the architecture (mainly in the Rosia Montana village). mining project Rosia Montana, that are being The buildings from the historical center in Rosia updated periodically, had been realized. Between Montana are proposed for conservation, being 2002 and 2006, the feasibility studies, including the already a touristic attraction. studies of the initial conditions needed for the Based on the ethnological investigations made in Environment Impact Evaluation Study were Rosia Montana, specialists consider that many of the elaborated. In April 2002, was finished the General existing buildings are architectonic monuments of Urban Plan for the Rosia Montana commune, which special value, being also unique proofs of also includes the mining project proposed by Rosia unmistakable rural life and civilization. (Rosia Montana Gold Corporation. This is also the moment Montana. Studiu etnologic, 2004). when is finalized the Zonal Urban Plan for the industrial area of Rosia Montana. During the period 2.2 Rosia Montana Gold Corporation of June 2002 – May 2004 and October 2006 – Project. Alternatives: mining or tourism? February 2008, Rosia Montana Gold Corporation In 1996, after the state mine (ROSIA MIN) was shut buys properties in the project’s area, based on an down, the restructuring and unemployment of the Action Plan for Relocation and Resettlement staff begun. Gabriel Resources Company listed at according to the standards of World Bank and IFC. Toronto Stock exchange shows its interest in In May 2004, as a result of the permanent continuing the mining activity in the area. consultations with the community, Rosia Montana In 1997, it is funded the Euro Gold Resources Gold Corporation is reviewing the Local Plan for Company with private and public capital, in which relocation and resettlement; also, the technical the main stakeholders are Gabriel Resources and the project is improved so that it will reflect the state mine Minvest Deva from Romania. In 2000, recommendations of the community and civil the company changes its name into Rosia Montana society. In December 2004, Rosia Montana Gold Gold Corporation. Corporation begins the procedure for obtaining the During 1997 – 2002, the company undertakes environment agreement through the request geological explorations for establishing the quantity submitter to the Alba Environment Protection th of existing mineral deposits and in 1999, Rosia Agency in December 14 2004. In May 2006, Rosia

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Montana Gold Corporation sends to the Ministry of Starting with this divergence in opinions regarding Environment the Environmental Impact Study the development and the development perspectives carried out by an extended team of Romanian and related to the Rosia Montana Gold Corporation foreign experts. During the next period, July – project, we will present a model that we consider August 2006, there are held 16 public consultations being a reference. (14 in Romania and 2 in Hungary) for evaluating the Therefore, as a solution to the divergences environmental impact, for presenting to the public generated by the mining development or its opinion the mining project and for responding to the replacement with the tourism as a base activity, we questions addressed by the people; as a result of the propose the promotion of a new shape of tourism in information stage and public debate, 5600 questions Rosia Montana area, starting with similar examples were sent to Rosia Montana Gold Corporation by recorded by the specialty literature and validated by the Ministry of Environment in January 2007. The the economic reality. Our solution refers to the answers to all 5600 questions were sent to the industrial tourism which instead of excluding the Environment Ministry in May 2007, in a document mining activity, it will be able to develop itself that has 12.600 pages representing an annex to the simultaneously and complementarily to it, pointing Evaluation of the Environmental Impact Report, this out all the important objectives of this traditional way resulted a final document of over 17.000 pages. activity for the Rosia Montana community. During June and August 2007, begins the analysis As a reference point for our compared process, of the evaluation of the Environmental Impact we have chosen the Andalusia region in Spain, Report with 4 meetings of the Technical Analyzing which is famous for two special socio-economic Commission. In July 2007, Rosia Montana Gold characteristics: (1) the existence of a traditional Corporation begins the construction of a new mining activity with a spectacular evolution during neighborhood in Alba Iulia, called Recea, for the the 19th and 20th centuries, and shut down at the end families from the project developing area that chose of 20th century and (2) the development of the to be relocated in the town. Due to the results of the touristic activity in this region starting with 1970 mining exploitations from the past and also due to until present (Marchena, 1987). Within this region the natural environment degradation, the mining we have four main towns: Linares, Alquife, Serón activity in the area has opponents that plead for and Villanueva del Rıó y Minas in which the mining finding other alternatives to the mining activity that activity was the heart of the economic and social life will contribute to the development of the area during the 20th century and where this industrial (Riscuta, 2007). branch was abandoned and generated a series of Rosia Montana Gold Corporation project’s economic and social effects upon the local opponents argue that the alternatives for Rosia community, as well as it happened in other localities Montana and the region are agriculture and tourism. depending on mining activity around the world. Regarding the chances for developing a profitable We chose this example because in this region agriculture numerous studies were made starting the and in its towns we still can find characteristic year 2000, proving that the land is not suitable for landscapes for the mining activity (surface mining an intensive agriculture and the subsistence exploitation, galleries, ponds, buildings specific for agriculture is not a sustainable alternative. the mining activity, workshops, specific mining Furthermore, the interest for association of the transportation infrastructure and others) as well a agriculturalists from the region is blocked by the series of intangible elements (mining traditions, negative representations upon the agriculture from rituals, memories and others) (Hernandez & Ruiz, the communist period (Pascaru, 2005). 2005). Another factor that contributed to choosing In these conditions, the tourism and particularly this example is the fact that the industrial tourism is the entrepreneurship in tourism have to be seen as almost inexistent despite of the efforts and the an opportune and interesting social innovation, activities that were made for its development. together with the modern surface mining through This region with the towns given as reference the Rosia Montana Gold Corporation project. point represents a good example for Rosia Montana due to the fact that all touristic sights were 3 Industrial Tourism – An persevered and included in the touristic circuit and Opportunity for Rosia Montana’s the manner in which all these objectives were arranged for tourists beginning with the mining Development galleries, trains for mining materials transportation 3.1 Andalusian Model and its Limits and finishing with the local miners traditions.

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Although, based on studies performed in the recorded no incomes from the base activity. Data Andalusian region we have to take into referring to the touristic activity have been recorded consideration the inhabitants’ ‘reticence’ in only for 2008 and 2009, the number increasing each accepting this new form of tourism. Thus, according year. Still, the contribution to the Gross Domestic to the carried studies, the inhabitants still do not Product of the area remains insignificant, increasing accept these objectives as being representative for from 4.500 to 5.000 Euros. their community although efforts were made for Of course, in promoting the tourism as an promoting tourism. alternative activity for sustaining the local As a consequence, in order to develop the Rosia community, the accommodation places offered by Montana Gold Corporation project, also this aspect the inhabitants who want to provide these services has to be considered, respectively the attitude of the must also be considered. But, for practicing a local community. Nevertheless, the great advantage professional touristic activity we have to consider a in accepting the tourism as a complementary previous training of the inhabitants, the possibility activity that can contribute to developing the entire that they could benefit of minimum information that region is the fact that the traditional activity will not could help them promote in an efficient way their disappear, but, on the contrary, it will developed in a offer as well as to improve and diversify the responsible manner towards the community and services that can be offered (starting with the environment according to the Rosia Montana Gold accommodation in traditional spaces, participating Corporation project. in a series of traditional activities specific for the local community, gastronomic products specific for 3.2. Current situation of the tourism activity the area, including also trips by carriage or sledge). in Rosia Montana For analyzing the development of the touristic 3.3 Correlated development of the mining with activity at the level of a community and its the tourism activity in Rosia Montana surroundings we must have the main objective for Touristic activity has to be seen as an opportunity this activity, respectively the material or immaterial for developing the local community in Rosia symbols that incite the tourists. From this point of Montana and its surroundings, considering the view, the touristic potential of Rosia Montana is perspective of developing the Rosia Montana Gold huge, including a various touristic objectives Corporation. In this sense we have to analyze the specific to various forms of tourism: (1) efforts made by Rosia Montana Gold Corporation archeological vestiges from which the roman until present, as well as future plans, its involvement galleries stand out; (2) architecture of the historical in the life of the local community, the support center of Rosia Montana; (3) proofs of the offered by the company for the discovery and preindustrial mining activity such as the galleries, preservation the main touristic objectives of this ponds; (4) old mines from the industrial exploitation area, as well as the promise of rehabilitating the period through the state company ROSIA MIN; (5) areas affected by the old mining exploitation and cultural thesaurus including traditions, customs, practice of a responsible and sustainable mining festivals (Miner Day, Miners’ Theatre, activity that could be given as example for similar competitions, traditional music competitions and communities. others). Thus, we consider that the industrial tourism, Thus, considering the touristic potential, the having in this area extracting industry objectives, it analyzed area has many advantages that are not is a suitable mean for revitalizing the economic valorized. activity and supporting the local community. The This rich touristic potential has to be critical situation of the mining areas in our country, accompanied by a well developed infrastructure that the shutting down of the mining exploitations and will allow tourism to develop properly. So, all the negative aspects which accompany these analyzing the data related to the accommodation and processes, increase the importance of finding public alimentation infrastructure specific for this economic alternatives for sustaining these areas. In activity, between 2002 and 2009, we notice that the these conditions, the tourism development gives a touristic activity is underdeveloped. Analyzing the real opportunity that has demonstrated its economic official information regarding the evolution of the viability and local community development in accommodation structures and of the public various locations (Dicks 2000). In the same time, alimentation points needed for the touristic activity, the negative economic phenomenon affecting these we can see that between 2002 and 2007, although it areas, such as unemployment, emigration, economic only one unit from this category was registered, it inactivity, amplify the interest for trying to

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symbolically redefine these communities and seek the industrial exploitation by the state company alternatives that can sustain the development of the Rosia Min, the old enterprise buildings complex, mining activity, where it is possible in a responsible original installations and equipments – some of manner (Dicks, 2000; Ruiz, 2002). them properly rehabilitated being able to Together with the development of the touristic demonstrate their purpose, etc.; (5) cultural heritage activity, respectively promoting and developing the of the Rosia Montana community which has industrial tourism, and pointing out a series of developed during the last centuries as a mono- touristic objectives that in the past had a special industrial area, mining activity being the base economic value for those areas and finding activity. The other occupations – agriculture, alternatives for using them furthermore. Thus, we traditional crafts, wood processing, etc. – had been have to see the industrial tourism as an economic complementarily and had never replaced the mining and social chance for developing the old mining activity. On the other hand, the social life of the communities, either replacing the old technologies Rosia Montana community remained strongly with new ones that do not affect the environment related to the mining activity: from the reopening of and the community, or finding new constructions the stamps’ activity and “Open Pasture” in spring, and equipments (some of them being unique in the until Saint Varvara, the miners’ protector in branch) through opening thematic museums, parks December, the inhabitants of the Rosia Montana that will valorize the old equipments and community had a lot of occasions to celebrate (Jocul installations, different exhibitions and others. Fasingarilor, Bolbotele, Easter, Miner Day, Mining The solution that we give is referring to the Community Festival, „Marie, draga Marie” Festival, correlated development of both mining exploitation etc.). and tourism activity as a whole that in a first In the same time, considering the Rosia Montana analysis seemed to exclude each other. So, the Gold Corporation’s involvement, we have to mining activity represents in fact the central recognize also the efforts made by this company in objective of the touristic activity for this area. preserving the cultural patrimony of the community and valorize it in a proper way as well as the 3.4 Community involvement: identity and activities planned for the future after the project’s industrial tourism beginning. The mining project of Rosia Montana Identity and community are concepts rather Gold Corporation also includes the rehabilitation intangible than tangible, because they do not and preservation of the Rosia Montana Historical suppose an explicit materialization or involvement Center, opening a modern mining museum, of a series of classical constructions that will have introduction in the touristic circuit of the Catalina- material effects. Monulesti, Paru Carpeni and Piatra Corbului Therefore, considering the future development of galleries, restoration of the funerary monument from the touristic activity for Rosia Montana, every the Gauri Pond, in situ preservation of the roman tourist will be curious to discover (and the vestiges discovered in Carpeni area, as well as the inhabitants will be glad to present): (1) organization of the integrated touristic circuits of all archeological vestiges that offer first information protected areas and their inclusion in the national related to Alburnus Maior, the old name of Rosia and international touristic circuit. Also, most of the Montana, dated 131 AD and which includes: waxed industrial equipments used in the past were included tablets, roman public buildings, traces of the antique in an inventory and some of them will be miners, almost 40 votive altars, over 1.400 rehabilitated and organized for museum presentation cremation graves, over 10.000 artifacts, roman and touristic visiting (Felea, 1997; Paun, 2003). galleries, galleries from the Middle Ages, Modern The close relation that exists between the Age and from the present activity; (2) historical touristic activities development and the center of Rosia Montana village, characterized by strengthening of the local community identity will the presence of the big stone house, old and new contribute to the development of responsible and massive buildings of the mining exploitation and of aware tourists and visitors regarding the effects that the local authorities, also the old churches give the an unsustainable exploitation of the subsoil riches impression to all visitors that they are in a mountain can have. Furthermore, considering the situation in village; (3) proofs of the preindustrial mining such which Rosia Montana Gold Corporation project will as Catalina-Molunesti, Paru Carpeni and Piatra demonstrate practically its viability considering the Corbului galleries, ponds, accumulating lakes built a economic, social and environmental responsibility, few hundred years ago for recreation and fishing this area could be a point of reference for mining (Gauri, Brazi, Anghel, Mare); (4) old mines from exploitation and their effects. The way in which

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touristic activity can influence the tourists and [6] Le Chêne, M. & Monjaret, A. (1992). L'usine visitors’ behavior was analyzed by well-known se met au vert, la ville au parfum. Image specialists in the field (Chronis, 2005; Palmer, marketing d'une industrie et politique culturelle 2005), starting with the behavior and cultural de l'identité d'une commune. La Gacilly changes of the hosts (Rogers, 2002), that can finally (Monkihan): Histoire d'une fusion. Rapport final. contribute to forming and consolidating a new Paris: Mission du patrimoine ethologique. image and identity (Thierry, 2003). Ministére de la Culture et la Communication. [7] Palmer, C. (2005). An ethnography of 4 Conclusion Englishness. Experiencing identity through Rosia Montana can be and deserves to be a unique tourism. Annals of tourism research, 32 (1), pp. touristic destination. Here, the tourists will be able 7–27. to discover new people, specific traditions and the [8] Pascaru, M. (2005). Introducere in sociologia base activity of this community – mining. Tourists regional. Cluj-Napoca, Editura Argoanaut. will be able to see and understood the reality of this [9] Pascaru, M. (2007). Habitatul risipit de destination, whose existence is strongly related to globalizare, Cluj-Napoca, Editura Argonaut. the mining activity. Rosia Montana was and will be [10] Pascaru, M. (2009). Participatory Research in a mining location, but the valorization of its entire the Management of Territorial Development. cultural patrimony can transform it in a special Investigations in Livezile-Rimetea Micro-region destination for Romanian and foreign tourists. (2001-2002 and 2007-2008), Annales After the Rosia Montana Gold Corporation Universitatis Apulensis Series Oeconomica, project will be closed, in Rosia Montana will be a 11(2), 2009, pp. 839-849. lot of history to be seen and understood, there will [11] Pascaru, M., Butiu, C.A. (2010). Psycho- be more galleries accessible to visitors and there Sociological Barriers to Citizen Participation in will be a Miner Museum specific to the 21st century. Local Governance. The Case of Some Rural Certainly, for accomplishing such an objective Communities in Romania, Local Government there is needed a better knowledge of the area’s Studies, Volume 36, Issue 4, 2010, pp. 493-509. realities. The area’s complexity in which the tourism [12] Paun, S. (2003). Valoarea arhitecturii activity will be developed in Rosia Montana, the autohtone. Bucuresti, Editura Omnes Artes. administration capacity, stakeholders or interests’ [13] Riscuta, C. (2007). Exploatarea Rosia diversity (in which is combined the local and Montana. Investitii economice si realitati socio- global), imply great, interdisciplinary and even culturale (1918-1948), Alba Iulia. participative research as a methodology (Pascaru, [14] Rogers, S. (2002). Which heritage? Nature, 2009). A rethinking of the governance in the terms culture and identity in French rural tourism. of stimulating the participation in the decision French Historical Studies , 25 (3), 475–503. making process regarding the community, together [15] Ruiz, E. (2002). Minerıá y Poder. with the elimination of the psycho-sociological Antropologıá Polıt en Riotinto (2nd ed.). barriers that are opposing in front of a good territory Huelva: Diputación de Huelva. governance is needed. (Pascaru, Butiu, 2010). [16] Sintimbrean, A., Bedelean, H. (2000). Rosia Montana - Alburnus Maior. Cetatea de scaun a References: aurului romanesc, Alba Iulia, Editura Altip. [1] Chronis, A. (2005). Coconsturcting heritage at [17] Thierry, A. (2003). Tourisme et développement the Gettysburg storyscape, Annals of tourism local: Emergence de nouvelles identities a research , 32 , 386–406. travers de nouveaux territories: Les Pays . [2] Dicks, B. (2000). Heritage, place and Rapport final. Paris: Mission du patrimoine community. Cardiff: University of Wales Press. ethologique. Ministére de la Culture et la [3] Felea, A. (1997). Pentru Tara Motilor. Cluj- Communication. Napoca, Editura Museum. [18] ***Rosia Montana. Studiu etnologic, [4] Hernández, M., & Ruiz, E. (2005). Apropiación Bucuresti, DAIM, 2004. patrimonial en contextos mineros de Andalucıá Revista de Dialectologıá y Tradiciones Populares , LX (2), 51–75. [5] Marchena, M. (1987). Territorio y turismo en Andalucıá Análisis a diferentes escalas provinciales. Sevilla: Junta de Andalucia.

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