Mining Watch Romania accuses Gekko&Neka Invest of drilling without authorization at a Roman archaeological site in Hunedoara

Mining Watch România accuses the company Gekko&Neka Invest of carrying out drilling and gold prospecting activities without the approval of the heritage authorities at the “Valea Tisei” archaeological site in the village of Stănija, Buceș commune, Hunedoara County. The organization has notified the control institutions and is calling for the situation to be urgently investigated.

According to Mining Watch România, the Hunedoara County Directorate for Culture confirmed that the company had neither requested nor obtained the mandatory approval for works within the site area listed in the National Archaeological Repertory under code RAN 88840.01. The area preserves traces of Roman and medieval mining operations, including galleries, pottery, oil lamps, quern stones, and wooden structures nearly two millennia old.

The organization maintains that any drilling or excavation at such a site requires preventive archaeological research, a certificate releasing the land from archaeological obligations, and approval from the Ministry of Culture.

Mining Watch also reports possible environmental impacts and claims that the documents submitted by the company do not correspond to the works carried out on site.

Following the complaints, the organization is requesting intervention by the State Inspectorate for Construction, the National Environmental Guard, and the National Authority for Regulation in the Mining Sector. The allegations are to be investigated by the competent authorities.