International rescuers inspect Chișinău Mine and develop new water pumping plan
The situation at the Chisinau Mine is critical. The water evacuation pumps inside the mine are unable to manage the accumulated water flow. During the international MODEX exercise held this week, rescue teams from Poland, Bulgaria, and Germany, along with their counterparts from the Republic of Moldova, assessed the area and created a new plan to pump out the excess water.
This exercise was referred to as a simulation, but the situation is real, and the decisions made by experts will be implemented to prevent potential disasters that could impact the infrastructure.
"We have a lake that has already formed, which is causing flooding in some galleries within the Chișinău Mine. We are currently working on creating an alternative solution to pump the water back, which is necessary to prevent further flooding of the galleries," said Vitalie Grecu, head of the department at the General Inspectorate for Emergencies (IGSU).
European experts from the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism have entered the Chisinau Mine and made the necessary assessments to address the issue. Intervention teams have been activated, incorporating both high-capacity pumping and purification modules.
“The goal is to enhance technical capabilities, but more importantly, to improve cooperation among the different countries participating in the exercise, as well as with local authorities. There is a significant volume of water in the mine, typically managed by the mine's pumps, but the water level is currently rising. The objective is to remove that water,” said Gilles Hoffmann, a participant in the operation.
“The teams from Poland and Bulgaria have been in the mine to take essential measurements. The space is limited, but the high-capacity pumps are being assessed. I understand that they issued preliminary orders for the pumps to be delivered here. Once they arrive, hose lines will be set up to connect to the water pumping unit,” explained exercise coordinator Marcel Lucaciu.
The Chisinau stone mine began operations in 1969 and stretches nearly four kilometers in the Râşcani sector. It started to gradually flood around 1994 after the former “Mezon” plant ceased pumping large volumes of groundwater from the area.
According to a 2021 study, 60% of the quarry's surface area had flooded. In response, a project was initiated in 2022 to drain the mine and utilize the groundwater for supplying the city. At that time, the estimated cost for the project was over 30 million lei.
