Supreme Security Council finds breeches in exploiting mines

The Supreme Security Council (SSC) has found severe breeches in exploiting the mineral deposits in Moldova. A special commission notifies of unauthorized extractions of deposits, fraudulent sales and at high prices of building materials extracted from quarries. Multiple cases when the building materials were sold at prices 50-70% higher than in invoices, as the difference was payed in cash, were tracked in Chisinau, reads a presidential communique quoted by Info-Prim Neo. President Vladimir Voronin has asked the Government to urgently adopt resolute decisions to better the situation. According to the SSC's decision, the Government will develop measures aiming at ensuring the legality, environmental and economic security in the extraction sector. They decided to set up an Agency of mineral resources on the basis of the subdivisions of ministries and departments related to this sector, within the Environment Ministry till October 30. The entity is to coordinate the activities exploiting and using mineral resources and to control the field. Till October 30, the Government is to step up the development of a new 'Code for the Underground' and to draft modifications to the Penal Code and to the Administrative Offenses Code to harshen sanctions for violations in the area of exploiting mineral deposits.