Mining Act No. 20/2014.

This Act, consisting of 13 Chapters and 1 Annex, approves the Mining Act. It specifies the general principles governing the exercise of rights and duties relating to the use and exploitation of mineral resources, including mineral water, in harmony with the mining practices, socio-environmental and transparency, with a view to sustainable development and long-term funding and revenue for the state. In particular it sets principles of ownership of mineral resources, forms of characterization of mining areas, the requirements for obtaining mining title, mining contract, the principle of priority, the powers of the Government and the General Inspectorate of Mineral Resources, taxes and fees, regulating pre-existing rights, the legal regime for mining titles, mining of small-scale and artisanal authorizations, transmission and revocation, direct investment, environmental management of mining and explosives and radioactive material, including offences and penalties. This Act does not apply for rights and duties relating to the use and exploitation of oil, natural gas, methane gas associated and associated natural gas, which are regulated by the Petroleum Act.