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.
