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Analysis of the Bosna River water samples from the spring to Kakanj city was performed with the aim of assessing the quality of the Bosna River water and comparing the obtained values with the national, EU regulations and guidelines of the World Health Organization. Samples were collected at eight selected locations, during two sampling periods: unstable weather conditions (precipitation), and stable weather conditions (without precipitation). The following parameters were analysed: pH, electrical conductivity, temperature, residue on evaporation at 105 °C, chloride and phosphate content, and metal content: Cr, Cu, Mn, Pb, Fe, Ni, Cd, Zn, Ca, Mg and Na. The metal content was determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) and atomic emission spectrometry (AES), phosphate by UV/Vis spectrophotometry, chloride by volumetric method, and evaporation residue by gravimetric method. In the case of metals, the concentrations of which were below the limit of detection of the method used (FAAS), a preconcentration method using an ion-exchange resin was applied. The results showed that the Bosna River in the investigated part of the stream meets most of the parameters required by the regulations and guidelines. In order to obtain a complete status of the impact of numerous factors on the pollution of the Bosna River water, it would be necessary to perform passive sampling, and biological and microbiological analysis of water.

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In this paper, chemical analysis of slag from abandoned medieval mine in Gornji Potočari, Srebrenica municipality was described. Total of 10 metals were analyzed: chromium, copper, cadmium, nickel, cobalt, zinc, silver, manganese, iron and lead. Traces of chromium, nickel, cobalt, copper, manganese and cadmium in the samples point to the fact that the starting ore also contained these elements. Results showed high content of iron (25.11–33.12%), lead (5.90–10.77%) and zinc (1.16–6.79%). The content of silver had a positive correlation with the content of lead, which is in favor of the initial hypothesis that the starting ore was galena (PbS). High zinc content indicates that the sphalerite (Zn,Fe)S was also used in the process, whereas iron most likely emanates from pyrite (FeS2). Galena and sphalerite can be found in Srebrenica area in large quantities. The results of the analysis show that the site was used for the production of lead and silver (from primary ores), intensive mining activity during the Middle Ages, and the latest date that we can account for slag origin is the end of the 16th century.