To continue the previous Random Inspection and Courtesy Meetings with Municipal Authorities, on 14th- 16th August and 20th- 23rd August, the Inspection team carried out Random Inspection and Courtesy meetings at Manatuto, Baucau and Lautem 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 (local and international) 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 referred 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 Manatuto, Baucau and Lautem, 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.