One of the roles of ANM is to manage and regulate Mining Activities in Timor-Leste. To continue the previous Random Inspection and Courtesy Meeting with Municipal Authorities, on 7th-9th August, the Inspection team carried out Random Inspection and Courtesy meeting at Viqueque Municipality in accordance with Article 199 (4) of Law No. 12/2021 of June 30th, on the Mining Code.

During the inspections, the Inspectors discovered that some companies had been conducting Mining Activities, particularly the extraction of sand and rocks, without obtaining either valid Environmental Licenses or Mineral Permits for commercialization and supplying to private and governmental projects within and outside the municipalities.

At the same time, these companies promptly received verbal notifications, followed by written notices, to immediately cease their activities and were directed to apply for Environmental Licenses and Mineral Permits as stipulated in Law No. 12/202 of June 30, on the Mining Code.

In parallel with the inspection, the Inspectors also conducted courtesy meetings with Municipal Authorities of Viqueque, including the PNTL, with the fundamental objective of establishing and fortifying cooperation with relevant parties to better manage and regulate mineral resources and increase royalties from the mining sector in the municipalities.