Data by the customs administration show some 7.9 billion lek (Euro 55 million) was collected in mining royalties in 2013, up from 5.9 billion lek (Euro 41 million) in 2012 and around 3.6 billion lek (Euro 25 million) in 2011
TIRANA, March 10 – The Energy and Industry Ministry says it has initiated revocation procedures on some 121 mining permits over legal violations. The permits which account for 16 percent of total mining permits, are being revoked over different violations, including failure to renew licenses, non-payment of financial guarantees to rehabilitate the environment or tax obligations such as the mining royalty.
The Energy and Industry Ministry says it will continue the process of auditing even for companies operating in bitumen and copper mines.
Energy Minister Damian Gjiknuri says the companies’ failure to pay their tax obligations has caused the state budget around USD 1 million in damages. He said government was interested in retendering the revoked permits.
In November 2013, the Energy Ministry warned some 669 mining operators had avoided around 206 million lek (Euro 1.44 million) in financial guarantees for environment rehabilitation, which is used for the completion of the rehabilitation plan.
The National Agency for Natural Resources said the damage to the state budget was caused by 393 operators in 2011 and 276 operator in 2012.
In late 2013, Albania’s Energy Ministry decided to partially suspend operations in the Bulqiza mine, the country’s biggest chromium mine, after an inspection group unveiled problems with safety at works and lack of investments. The D Zone in the Bulqiza mine is operated by Tour Alb, a subcontractor of the ACR concessionaire which in early 2013 was acquired by Albania’s Balfin Group.
Latest data by the customs administration show some 7.9 billion lek (Euro 55 million) was collected in mining royalties in 2013, up from 5.9 billion lek (Euro 41 million) in 2012 and around 3.6 billion lek (Euro 25 million) in 2011.
Since 1994, when a new mining law was approved soon after the communist system collapsed, Albanian mines have been explored by private companies under mining permits and concessions.
Albania has around 390 million tonnes of unexplored oil reserves, some 3 billion m3 of natural gas, 740 million tonnes of coals, 32 million tonnes of chrome, and hundreds of tones of other iron-ore and copper reserves, proving the country’s rich mineral reserves despite the small territory it occupies. The findings are revealed in the latest mineral resources map of Albania, an updated version of 1971 and 1989 publications during the country’s communist regime.
The map features Albania’s metal and non-metallic mineral combustible materials and mineral waters in a computerized version accompanied by databases, also classifying the resources based on their importance.
