Flooding risk at the Băița Mine / Bihor County Committee for Emergency Situations declares a state of emergency

The Bihor County Committee for Emergency Situations has declared an emergency in the Băița Mine area after the water drainage systems were shut down and water levels reached six metres in some areas. The authorities are asking the Government for 6 million lei to resume pumping for at least 12 months.

Inspections carried out on Wednesday, 4 November 2026, showed that the pumps and compressors operated by Vast Băița Plai SA are not functioning due to a lack of personnel. No mining activities are currently taking place underground, but the water accumulated across the six sublevels of level XVIII is no longer being drained.

Specialists warn that, after approximately 24 hours without pumping, the pumping stations, electrical installations and mine galleries between levels XIII and XVIII could be flooded. A possible collapse of the Nucet drainage gallery, approximately five kilometres long, could block drainage and cause the mine to flood completely.

There are also environmental risks due to changes in groundwater circulation and increased concentrations of heavy metals in discharged water, including in the Crișul Negru River. The committee approved the funding request, while a temporary pumping solution would cost up to 400,000 lei.