Armenia`s authorities tighten regulation on mining in border regions 

ArmInfo. Armenian authorities will tighten regulations on  mining in the country's border regions. At its October 15 session, the National Assembly's Committee on  Economic Affairs approved amendments to the Codes "On Subsoil" and "On Administrative Offenses."

According to Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Asatur Vardanyan, the  amendments will require the consent of the National Security Service, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and  the Ministry of Defense to conduct exploration or extraction of minerals in Armenia's border zone, and the  customs authority in the customs control zone. The submitted drafts require the consent of the National  Security Service, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Defense to be attached to the  application, and of customs authorities in the customs zones. Furthermore, a complete ban on sand  extraction, including sand-gravel mixture and sand-gravel pebbles, from border riverbeds is being  introduced. Violations are punishable by a fine of 20 million drams, and repeat offenders will have their  subsoil use rights terminated.

The package of measures aims to prevent the risk of river channel changes, including the Araks River, and  mitigate risks to border ecosystems and security. The government will adopt bylaws within eight months,  and existing companies will have 90 days to fully comply with GPS and other system requirements.