The minister of Economy Mihai Fifor announced that he intends to submit to public debate the Mining Law, the Mineral waters Law and the law regarding royalties, by September 1st. “Through the Sovereign Development and Investment Fund, which we will launch starting next year, we are trying to invest in companies with Romanian capital.

On the one hand, the Government intend to invest in projects that are starting from the greenfield, and also in brownfield investments. “Our ministry has a special program for the inventory of the mining sites. Also, in the upcoming weeks, somewhere until September 1st, we intend to come with the Mining Law, a law that will regulate many mining issues, and at the same time, also until September 1st, we will come with the mineral waters law”, explained minister Fifor, according to Agerpres.

Asked whether the mining law could mean a new start for Roşia Montană, the minister said he expects the completion of the litigation.

“We are waiting to see how this dispute will be finalized and we will discuss it. As for the mining law, yes, it is partly dedicated to the idea of reopening some mining exploitations, but please let us come out with the draft in public consultation, subject for public debate, and then we will discuss each chapter of the mining law”, added Fifor.

He reminded that during the Executive meeting on Thursday the National Geological Program was discussed. “All these are interlocked so that the Ministry of Economy to have a legislative package in September, at the beginning of the parliamentary session, a package assumed through the governance program. I would like to point out the fact that our government wants to encourage and develop companies with Romanian capital”, said Fifor.

The minister explained that the law on royalties is also in preparation. “We hope we can come into public consultation with this law also before September 1st. It is a technical discussion at the moment. We are trying not to increase the royalties. We actually talk about a fiscal package, because that was stated through the governing program, to come with an inventory of all royalties at the moment, if you want. It’s a very, very technical matter”, the dignitary pointed out.

Mihai Fifor was in Abrud on Sunday, where events took place on the occasion of the 40 years of activity of the only copper producer in Romania, Cupru Min, a company in the portfolio of the Ministry of Economy.