Country summaries

Collection of data on primary raw material resources and reserves is the responsibility of the Ministry of Economy Trade and Energy (METE) for crushed rocks and secondary aggregates (and presumably other commodities although no explicitly stated), and the Ministry of the Environment for riverbed deposits (e.g. sand and gravel). The Geological Survey is responsible for estimating and providing information/data on the geological availability of raw materials, whilst the National Agency for Natural Resources (AKBN) is tasked with collecting and monitoring primary aggregates production. The principal source of data is mineral operators and that derived from the work of the Geological Survey. Data is collected at a variety of scales ranging from national, local to individual deposits. At minimum data is collected annually (however, they are possibly referring to production data here. Private operators have to declare production data quarterly). Other data sources relevant to primary raw material resource evaluation include a GIS-based Mineral Resource Map of Albania, which includes all known mineral deposits, a database of mineral commodities and a database of mines and quarries. These data sources cover both metallic and non-metallic minerals and are the responsibility of the Geological Survey and AKBN. National legislation requires the collection of data on primary raw material resources and reserves. There are 21 ‘orders’ and 12 ‘decisions’ that regulate the mining activity in Albania. This legislation specifies that licence holders must provide quarterly information (presumably only production) to the AKBN on their mining activity, in accordance with the ‘national code’. Holders of exploration licences are required to report to the Geological Survey the obligatory information described in the ‘order’. Exploration and mining companies are under a statutory obligation to report resource and reserve data. The legislation covers all raw materials. The data is collected through private companies reporting directly to AKBN or the Geological Survey in accordance with the type of permit they hold. Data is received in the form of reports and tables. Companies do not have an obligation to provide more than resource and reserve data.