The Ministry says it is determined to take similar measures against other companies which don’t execute their mining permits
TIRANA, July 26 – Tete Albania Tunnel & Mining, owned by Turkey’s Tete, has had its mining exploration permit revoked in the Spac copper mine, northern Albania, due to not conducting its work, the Economy, Trade and Energy Ministry said in a statement.
“Controls showed no works have been carried out in the mine and that the company has not fulfilled its obligations regarding the mining development project,” said the ministry adding that the company had not also submitted periodical and annual financial balance sheets.
Tete Albania Tunnel & Mining had been granted the permit to explore the Spac copper mine in Mirdita in August 2007. Located about 100km north of Tirana, the Spac deposit lies in the central part of the Perlat- Qaf Mali mineralized belt. This belt which extends about 40 km contains several big ore deposits as Lak Roshi, Tu詬 Qafe Bari, Munella, Gurth Spac, Spaci and Perlati and several ore deposits containing 100,000 up to 1 million tons of ore and numerous small prospects.
“In Albania, we have established Muenella Copper project (have driven more than 5,000m tunnels, 250,000t/year capacity plant, under the name BERALB) and now working on Spac Copper Project (%100 owned under the name TETEALB, Geological reserves 3,6 million tons production in 10 years, currently installing the plant) , and we have prepared feasibility projects for Vlahna and Perolaj Chromite Project, Bitinzqa Nickel Projects. We have been working in Albanian government without any problem, since we both have cultural and friendly connections. Also in 2006 we have prepared a feasibility study for the Bulqiza Chromite mine,” says TETE Mining on its website.
The ministry says it is determined to take similar measures against other companies which don’t execute their mining permits.
Last week, Austrian-owned Albanian Chrome also had its mining permit partially suspended after a working group set up by the ministry identified problems on working conditions risking employees’ safety and health and damaging the environment.
