ArmInfo. Most of the corruption risks identified by Transparency International (TI) anti-corruption center, based on the results of the study "Assessment of Corruption Risks in Granting the Subsoil Use Rights" dealt with the work schedule. TI Executive Director Sonna Ayvazyan announced this on November 27 during the presentation and discussion of the results of the study.
"The revealed gaps concerned inaccuracies in the examination rules for the use of mineral resources, and its poor quality in assessing the impact on the environment, the impact of mining companies on stakeholders, the process of revising the right to subsoil use, the lack of transparency of information on mining deposits, and illegal economic activities of state officials," she explained.
In this regard, the expert stressed that there is a need to establish an Inter-agency Commission or a similar structure for carrying out a comprehensive assessment of the impact of subsoil use. "The Ministry of the Environment has found itself in a very vulnerable position due to a large load of powers with insufficient tools and capabilities. The state should understand that in addition to the Ministry, it is necessary to create a structure that would be able to receive an assessment of different departments to give a more accurate assessment from the state point of view. And not only assessment of the benefits and harm to mining enterprises," she said.
The TI study was implemented within the framework of the program "Mining for Sustainable Development" under the leadership of the Australian office of Transparency International.