Prishtina – 24 April 2019
The Independent Commission for Mines and Minerals after the debate organised by MPA on 17.04.2019 has organised a joint round table-debate with GSK, MED, representatives of the Assembly of Kosovo, American Chamber of Commerce, University of Mitrovica “Isa Boletini” and investors in mining sector.
The ICMM Director, Ramiz Krasniqi opened the debate, where he said that the Independent Commission must continue to remain further as independent one. We as ICMM have opposed this law and we will oppose it, he said among other things.
In the remark, the Chairman of the ICMM, Musa Shabani, after speaking about the history of ICMM expressed the objection of this draft law which it is contradiction with the mining standards and it infringes the principles approved in Assembly. Not knowing the functioning of mining sector from complier affects as well the Geological Survey of Kosovo, which it shall be separated. Law on independent agencies foresees that the agencies that have more than 50 employees are not allowed to not be non-functional. He said also that more than 13 thousand workers work in this sector. Such merger violates the independence of the ICMM and frightens the potential investors in this sector said the Chairman of the ICMM Board, Musa Shabani who according to him this is infringement of European standards, and many principles of mining strategy.
The Director of Department of Mines in the Ministry of Economic Development, Skender Sallahu, said that they weren’t informed to give professional opinion. There are many issues that need to be treated in draft document. Control and licensing can be then conflict of interest. ICMM must be single institution, he said among other things.
The same opinion for disapproval of this law had the representatives of GSK where the Director of the Geological Survey of Kosovo, Fidaim said that these institutions shall not be merged. GSK must be strengthening still despite achievements. Responsibilities must be divided for these institutions, he said among other things.
Prof. Dr Shyqeri Kelmendi emphasised that this sector is in two pillars geological and mining sector in all countries of the world. We must be harsh; we must not allow at all such incorporation. The ones who have worked in this law do not know properly the sector, professor Kelmendi emphasised among other things.
Prof. Dr. Gani Maliqi, representative of a Canadian – Australian company who acts the last ten years in Kosovo, assessed that if the ICMM will be put within the Ministry and to be merged in GSK it will be the second mistake, after the one when it was closed Ministry of Energy and Mines.
Dean of the Faculty of Geosciences, Prof. Dr.Naser Peci emphasised that the ICMM must be an independent sector and regulator for mines and minerals.
Prof.Dr. Ahmet Tmava considers that all these respective institutions must talk and to come out with a respective recommendations. He criticized the Government that it didn’t take into consideration for years the request of the ICMM for amendment of the Law and the establishment of Department for licencing within the ICMM.
At the end of the debate, the Member of the ICMM Board, Kemajl Zeqiri read the joint conclusion for this meeting in front of the participants.
