The Concession Contract for Exploration Works on 40% of Moldova's Territory: To Be or Not to Be?

The appeal, addressed to the Government and the Ministry of Environment, responds to irregularities in transparency, the conduct of the tender and contract terms, totalling 10 major problems set out in a position paper of 16 March 2017. The contract allows toxic or flammable substances, obliging the company only to “reduce the use of toxic substances”, and specifies no sanctions for environmental damage.

The experts propose suspending the contract of 2 January 2017 between the Ministry of Environment and Frontera Resources International, and setting up a joint commission to investigate the original tender, with public consultations. If violations are confirmed, they ask for termination. If the works are harmless, they recommend a new transparent tender, a joint monitoring group, a monitoring and communication mechanism, and a framework document setting obligations and sanctions for environmental violations.