EMC – regarding an initiative to issue 100 new licenses for mining
Tbilisi. The Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC) responds to an initiative of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia related to selling 100 new licenses for mining by auction.
“We consider that this initiative contradicts a document on the “Strategy for the Mining Sector of Georgia” and is incompatible with principles of democratic, transparent and relevant knowledge-based management of natural resources. The decision of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development further promotes the practice of issuing licenses based on privatization and auction rules, despite the fact that the experience, obtained in Tkibuli, Chiatura and other regions, raises doubts regarding socio-economic and ecological sustainability of this policy, while the “Strategy for the Mining Sector”, approved in December 2019, indicates significant legislative gaps existing in the mountain mining sector, without eradication of which gaps launching of a large-scale wave of licensing is extremely dangerous”, - is noted in the statement of EMC.
Source: The website of the organization
