Public Discussion in the Ministry of Energy Infrastructures and Natural Resources

On November 18, a public discussion on the laws adopted to regulate legal relations in the field of mining waste and management of mining waste facilities was held in the Ministry of Energy Infrastructures and Natural Resources of the Republic of Armenia. The discussion is attended by the representatives from the Ministry of Nature Protection, public organizations, scientific and educational institutions. 

Vardan Gevorgyan, the Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Energy Infrastructure expressed gratitude to the participants of the discussion for accepting the invitation and thanked for accepting the invitation to participants and expressed readiness to listen and take into consideration the constructive proposals of the interested sides.

V. Gevorgyan informed that the legislative changes were made with the support of the World Bank and the participation of the Ministry of Environment. An attempt was made to solve the problems related to the environment and human health.

Shushanik Kerobyan, the head of Minerals Division and General Geology of Mining Department of the Ministry of Energy Infrastructures and Natural Resources introduced the necessity to make appendices to the RA laws on "Mining Code", "On Waste", "Environmental and Utilization Payment" and emphasized that this process is for regulating and clarifying the unsolved issues in legislative field on mining waste and the management of mining waste facilities. Mineral Use concept includes also mining wastes recycling in the Mining Code. But there will be no necessity to ask for permission as it will be a part of the permit of mineral extraction.

According to Shushanik Kerobyan, subsoil users during the exploitation of the mine and after the closure must do mining waste management activities and in cases according to Code Mining waste recycling activities to reduce the damage to the environment or human health and prevent and make minimum the accidents.

At the meeting the discussion in which both sides were interested was held. The participants raised questions and comments.

An agreement has been reached to submit all the suggestions in written form to the Ministry of Energy Infrastructures and Natural Resources to discuss one more time and take into consideration in upcoming legislative changes.