Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Environmental Hotspots Map Becomes a Foundation for Future Remediation and Investments
Visit to the "Abid Lolić" Brown Coal Mine near Travnik
June 3, 2026
Federal Minister of Environment and Tourism Nasiha Pozder and UNDP Resident Representative Renaud Meyer visited the site of the former “Abid Lolić” Brown Coal Mine in Bila near Travnik as part of activities related to the preparation of the Report on Soil, Water and Sediment Investigations at former industrial and mining sites. The visit was hosted by Haris Balić, Director of the “Abid Lolić” Mine.
This activity represents a continuation of the cooperation between the Federal Ministry of Environment and Tourism and UNDP in Bosnia and Herzegovina, formalized through a Cooperation Agreement signed in 2024. Under this partnership, the Study on the Identification of Locations Contaminated by Hazardous Waste in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina was launched. The Ministry allocated BAM 100,000 for the project, while UNDP provided an additional BAM 100,000, enabling a comprehensive preliminary assessment and mapping of environmental hotspots.
The former “Abid Lolić” mining site has been identified as a promising location for further activities aimed at addressing environmental hotspots. During the visit, key findings and preliminary results of the analyses were presented, highlighting the importance of such assessments as a tool for identifying environmental challenges, planning timely remediation measures, and supporting relevant institutions in decision-making processes. In addition to its financial contribution, the Federal Ministry of Environment and Tourism actively participated in the technical implementation of the project through coordination, evaluation and monitoring of contract implementation.
As part of the study, more than 100 locations across Bosnia and Herzegovina were assessed, while 48 sites were selected for more detailed investigations. More than 700 analyses of soil, water and sediment were conducted, enabling the identification of key environmental risks and priorities for future action. Potential remediation needs were identified at 34 locations, including 18 in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and 16 in Republika Srpska, further underscoring the importance of a systematic approach to addressing contaminated sites and protecting both public health and the environment.
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Environmental Hotspots Map represents an important step towards establishing a systematic approach to managing contaminated and potentially contaminated sites. It provides a basis for informed decision-making, guiding future investments and strengthening capacities for planning remediation activities.
As part of a long-term solution, the GIS database developed for the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina will be integrated into the Environmental Protection Fund of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s waste management information system. Efforts are also underway to establish a similar system in Republika Srpska.
The analysis was conducted under the United Nations Portfolio “Catalyzing the Green Transition in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” through the Depollution pillar, with financial support from Sweden and the Federal Ministry of Environment and Tourism.