170 mining permits and 40 hydroenergitic plants have been cancelled by Ministry of Energy and Industry, in the framework of the monitoring and reviewing process of all previously issued concessions.
The main reasons why the Ministry took this measure relate to the absence of investments as announced in the signed contracts, the failure to pay fines for legal violations, and for the services out of the required standarts. “We have started to make changes to mining legislation in order to have under control the mining sector,” declared the Minister of Energy Damian Gjiknuri.
After the revocation of these mining permitions, many companies have begun investing and paying the outstanding fines.
It is expected that changes to mining law will enforce the respect of law and new legal obligations will be set regarding the rehabilitiation of the environment. As announced by Ministry of Energy and Industry, the law will soon pass in the Parliament.
News source: ATA
Photo credits: ATA
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