As continuation of Random Inspection, the ANM recently conducted in Bobonaro municipality; from the 25th to the 26th of June, a team of Inspectors from the ANM called for a courtesy meeting with the Municipal Authority of Liquiça. The purpose of the meeting was to share information regarding the roles of the ANM in managing and regulating the mining sector in Timor-Leste, and to inform the Municipal Authorities, including Post Administrators, of the Random Inspection planned for all companies currently undertaking Mining Activities in Liquiça municipality. Following the courtesy meeting, the Inspectors team proceeded with the random inspections in accordance with Article 119 (4) of Law No. 12/2012, 30 June, on the Mining Code.

During the Random Inspections, the Inspectors team identified six companies were conducting Mining Activities, particularly rock and sand extractions, without obtaining either valid Environmental Licenses and/or Mineral Permits. All these companies are conducting Mining Activities for commercialization and for supplying private and government projects within and outside of Liquiça Municipality.

These companies promptly received verbal notifications, followed by written notices, to cease their activities and were directed to comply with the Environmental Licensing and Mineral Permit process under Law No. 12/2021 of June 30 on the Mining Code.