Moldova Amends Subsoil Code, Expands Mining Waste Safety Rules

Amendments have been made to the Subsurface Code

Clear rules on the management of waste from the extractive industries will be laid down by Law No. 218 of 17 September 2026. It amends the Subsurface Code, which was published in the Official Gazette on 9 October this year and will come into force one month after the date of publication, with the exception of certain provisions relating to the harmonisation of the national regulatory framework with European Union standards, which will be implemented following our country’s accession to the EU.

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Firstly, a public register is being established of decommissioned facilities for the processing of mining waste that pose a risk to the environment and public health.

The competent authority for subsoil resources and nature conservation will ensure the development, maintenance and periodic updating of the register, including closed and abandoned facilities located within the country that have a serious negative impact on the environment or may, in the short or medium term, pose a serious threat to human health and the environment. Members of the public will have open access to relevant environmental information in accordance with a decree to be approved by the government.

As explained, the national regulatory framework does not contain detailed rules for the inventory and monitoring of decommissioned waste treatment facilities in the mining industry, nor for adapting technical regulations to scientific and technological progress; and the absence of a register of decommissioned facilities increases the risk that decommissioned or non-compliant facilities will become sources of air, water and soil pollution.

Deadlines for submitting documents are extended

The published law also provides for an extension of the deadline from 90 to 180 days for the submission of documents required to obtain a permit for the use of subsoil resources. This amendment aims to bring the statutory deadline into line with procedural and administrative realities, providing economic operators with a longer period to obtain all necessary documents without compromising the quality of the decision-making process or environmental protection standards.

Exchange of information

Furthermore, the Ministry of the Environment and the competent authority for the use and protection of subsoil resources will participate in the exchange of scientific and technical information with the Member States of the European Union and the European Commission with a view to developing and applying methodologies for assessing the risks associated with activities regulated by the Subsoil Code, and the rehabilitation of decommissioned sites, to ensure compliance with environmental protection requirements.

This story was translated with the assistance of artificial intelligence.The translation was also reviewed by the Logos Press editorial team.

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