ArmInfo. The application for the study and extraction of sand and crushed stone in the border zone will have to be checked by the National Security Service, the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In territories with the status of a customs control zone, it will also be checked by the State Revenue Committee, as stated by Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of the Republic of Armenia Asatur Vardanyan, during a meeting of the NA Standing Committee on Economic Issues. He was presenting a legislative package providing for amendments and additions to the Code "On Subsoil of the Republic of Armenia," as well as amendments to the Code of Administrative Offenses. The Deputy Minister noted that the legislative package also outlines the procedure for suspending the activities of a subsoil user.
According to Vardanyan, a complete ban on sand extraction from the bed of a border river is also being introduced. The fine is 20 million drams, and in case of repeated violations, the right to use the subsoil is terminated. The package is aimed at preventing the risks of changing river beds (including the Araks) and reducing risks to border ecosystems and security.
Asatur Vardanyan reported that a requirement has been established to carry out mineral extraction work exclusively using lifting and transport equipment, as well as trucks transporting minerals equipped with a GPS (global positioning system). The latter will be connected to the servers of the Subsoil Inspectorate to track the movement of this equipment with maximum accuracy. Violation of this requirement entails administrative liability in the amount of about 5 million drams.
According to the Deputy Minister, these legislative amendments currently only apply to the Araks River. The government will adopt by-laws within 8 months, and existing companies will have 90 days to fully comply with GPS and other requirements. The bill received a positive opinion from the commission.
