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Thursday, 26th October 2006 (2045 views)

The Bulgarian government has set up a working group to prepare changes to the Subsoil Resource Act in the country, in order to stabilise the row over the Chelopech gold project.

Canadian mining firm Dundee Precious Metals sought the intervention of local courts over what the firm thought was a failure by the environment ministry to come to a decision over the Chelopech gold mine.

The move means that the environment ministry has had to consider demands from the Bulgarian Mining Chamber, concerning tax breaks for environmental costs and protective measures for mining industry investors against "administrative hassle".

Experts at the ministry have claimed that the new principles should mean the administration respond within 14 days to a subsoil exploration permit, unless more extensive research is required, according to Bulgarian news provider Dnevnik.

The working group set up by the environment ministry is also planning to consult the local business community for input on the draft of the new bill, whose proposals will be integrated into the final draft.

 

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