Romanian village blocks Canadian firm from mining for gold

Rosia Montana declared site of historical interest, granting it protection from Gabriel Resources, which has tried for 15 years to extract 300 tonnes of gold

A Romanian village where a Canadian firm is planning a controversial open-cast goldmine has been declared a site of historical interest, granting it protection from mining activity.

"Rosia Montana village has been designated a place of historic site of national interest which has a radius of two kilometres [just over a mile]," said Adrian Balteanu, the Romanian culture ministry's adviser on cultural heritage.