MONTENEGRO | Monday, 14 January 2013 | Views [625] | View Larger Image
The massive open pit coal mine and thermal plant is a blessing for Montenegro and a curse for Pljevlja. Pljevlja is Montenegro’s only remaining industrial center and has some of the highest instances of respiratory disease in all of Europe. Birth defects are also on the rise. Conversely, Montenegro derives nearly half of its power from Pljevlja and 100% of its coal. The life blood for Pljevlja is also its cancer, though most of the money goes directly to the capital, Podgorica, leaving little for the traditional agriculturalists. Other natural resources, such as timber, lead, and zinc are also massively exploited for the benefit of the country’s economy while degrading the other resources of the town used by its residents.
