Press release: Use of Useful Mineral Resources in the Republic of Moldova: Gain or Loss?

According to the Environmental Protection Inspectorate, environmental damage from mineral extraction in 2017-2018 amounts to MDL 87 million. The study points to the lack of a vision for the extractive sector, contradictory and incomplete regulation, insufficient control and low transparency. Moldova ranks 181st out of 182 countries by the importance of its mining sector, yet the resources matter for branches such as construction.

The recommendations include revising the policy and regulatory framework, monitoring the environment and sanctioning violations, and controlling land recultivation. They also call for changing the system of payments and taxes to secure budget revenues, redistributing revenues to the local authorities where excavation takes place, and ensuring a high level of transparency to minimise corruption. The study was funded by the Soros Foundation Moldova.