Albania revokes superimposed mining permits

The Albanian government has solved one of the most concerning problems in the mining industry, revoking 20 mining permits partly or fully, because of superimposition, Albanian Daily News reported on Monday.

In conformity with the Albanian governmental objectives for a more efficient management of natural resources based on the latest changes in the mining law, by an order of Albanian Minister of Energy and Industry Damian Gjiknuri, in January-February period, all mining permits with superimposition were identified.

From the process of the verification of data from 2005 to the third quarter of 2013, these superimposed permits are mainly in the sources of chromium in Bulqiza, Theken, Baterr and Krasta.

If the mining permit was given in a later period, it is invalid for the superimposed area and the minister revokes it for just that area.

Pursuant to the legal definition, Gjiknuri has signed full or partial revocation for 20 mining permits because of superimposition.

Avoidance of superimposition marks an important step not only in regards to increasing safety for miners but also for avoiding conflicts between subjects with mining permits.

Meantime, in the framework of verification and monitoring of existing permits, Gjiknuri signed the beginning of revocation procedures for 47 other permits in the research and utilization sector which do not comply with legal obligations.

Some entities had their permits canceled because they did not make their payments to guarantee rehabilitation of the environment or investments or because they were expired. Endit