YEREVAN. – In 2013, close to 31 million tons of metal ore will be extracted in Armenia, against the 17 million in 2010. 

Energy and Natural Resources Deputy Minister Areg Galstyan stated the aforesaid during Tuesday’s National Assembly hearings devoted to the country’s mining industry.

In his words, a total of 438 licenses are issued in Armenia to operate mines in the country; 24 of these licenses are for metal mines, 29 are for underground waters, and the rest are for the operation of non-metallic mines. At the same time, however, 68 metal mines are being explored.           

At present, the mining industry provides about 5 percent of Armenia’s State Budget revenues.