The Parajd/Praid Salt Mine, home to Central Europe’s largest contiguous salt deposit, has been mined since the Middle Ages. Its vast underground system—once hosting health, leisure, and cultural activities—was both an industrial and touristic hub, attracting visitors to its salt-rich microclimate and unique subterranean facilities. 

In May 2025, the mine was flooded by the Corund/Korond stream after extreme rainfall caused a collapse in underground sections. Operations and tourism were halted, and around 130 workers were evacuated. The disaster disrupted both mining and tourism, the twin pillars of the local economy, threatening the livelihood of the community and the region’s ecological balance. 

The EU Civil Protection Mechanism deployed experts to assess the damage and plan restoration. The discussion will explore the historical and economic significance of the mine, the environmental and social impact of the flooding, and the long-term outlook for restoration and regional resilience. 

Speakers:  

  • Gerhard Winters, hydrogeologist, member of the EU Civil Protection Expert Team, which is working with Spanish, Hungarian, and German colleagues to help resolve the ecological crisis at the Parajd/Praid Salt Mine. His daily work is at CRUX Engineering on large-scale infrastructure projects worldwide, such as mining, tunneling, and other construction works. He is also working for the Dutch Mining Institute (Ministry of Economic Affairs) and Member of the German Federal Board on Scientific Research in the Use of Mine Water as a Sustainable Energy Source. He has contributed to many missions ranging from earthquakes and volcanic activity to hurricane related natural disasters and has served as a trainer for new experts.  
  • Antal Serfőző, hydrogeologist, co-founder of GeoGold companies in Hungary and Romania, providing geological, hydrogeological, and geophysical services. Since 2016, they have conducted numerous salt karst explorations in Parajd/Praid, Szováta/Sovata, and Solotvyno in connection with the revitalization of the salt mines. Currently he is a passionate member of the expert team working on the restoration of the Parajd/Praid mine's environment. 
  • Dr. Péter Szűcs, hydrogeologist, corresponding member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. Full professor, head of the Department of Hydrogeology and vice-rector for general and scientific affairs at the University of Miskolc. He was involved in several professional activities connected to the environmental assessment for natural resources revitalization of the Solotvyno salt mine in Ukraine between 2015 and 2022. 
  • Dana Coțovanu, journalist and photojournalist at HotNews, Scena9, and Inquam Photos. She previously worked as a video reporter for Euronews Romania, Factual.ro, Weekend Adevărul, and Cultura la dubă. At Parajd/Praid, she documented local stories for Hotnews, highlighting community engagement. 

English, Hungarian and Romanian translation will be provided at the event. We kindly ask you to inform us of your intention to attend by filling in the form below: 

REGISTRATION

For more information follow our events on Facebook.