RA Control Service reveals violations in mining industry

PanARMENIAN.Net - Control Service at RA President's administration revealed a number of violations in activities of environment, energy and natural resources ministries of Armenia, Hovhannes Hovsepyan, head of Control Service told a press conference in Yerevan on Monday.



According to him, there has been a discrepancy in reported amounts of royalties, submitted by business entities to two different state agencies.  "And even despite this inconsistency of reports, these business entities are state debtors," he said.



The Control Service has also identified violations in granting the right for mine exploration. In particular, the right to explore mines was granted to business entities, which had not fulfilled their contractual obligations. 



"Inspections in 10 mines have shown that business entities acquired additional land lots, not through auction, as the law required, but exercising their right to expand, thus causing AMD 515 million damage to the state. Relevant legislative amendments have already been initiated,"  Hovsepyan said.



Contractual obligations to make investments have not been fully fulfilled by several business entities.  "Most of these businesses have not invested the promised amount, causing over AMD 2 billion harm to the state. According to the law on concessions, the property of debtors can beconfiscated to repay these amounts, registered as public debts.   

187 businesses did not pay AMD 600 million state duties for licenses. This sum will be repaid through confiscation of the property. Otherwise, the licensing right of these businesses will be suspended," he concluded.