EcoLur
The Armenian Government has decreased the rate of state duty by 100 times set for the development of obsidian mines. On 4 December the executive approved RA draft law “On Making Amendments to RA Law “On State Duty””. The reasoning of the draft law shows that there are no legally registered and working obsidian mines in Armenia for over 20 years.
“Local companies use obsidian for souvenirs and construction materials production and face difficulties with obtaining obsidian in lawfully documented manner,” the reasoning says.
When setting such privileges, the Government doesn’t assess the damage to environment because of illegal development of obsidian mines. Setting privileges in money equivalent the profits promised by the government are not assessed with the same equivalent (how many working places will be created, to what extent social-economic situation will be improved etc.) At the same time, these privileges directly affect on our state budget thus reducing incomes coming from mining.
It’s planned that after the adoption of a new law four obsidian mines registered in the state register of Armenia will be developed – Damlik, Arteni, Sevqar section of Artin mountain and Artin mountain.
December 07, 2015 at 17:15