Environmental damage estimated at more than 19 million lei has been reported following unauthorised mineral extraction from agricultural land outside the town of Vulcănești, in Moldova’s Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia, the Environmental Protection Inspectorate has announced.
The case was documented by environmental inspectors from the Geological Control and Land Resources Department following an unannounced inspection of a plot registered under cadastral number 9603218.010.
“Inspections and measurements carried out on site revealed that an area of approximately 1.28 hectares had been affected by excavations resulting from the unauthorised extraction of sand and clay. Based on the findings recorded in the inspection report and the assessment reports prepared, the environmental damage was estimated at 19,066,288.37 lei,” the Environmental Protection Inspectorate said in a statement.
The materials collected during the inspection, together with the environmental damage assessment reports, have been forwarded to the Prosecutor General’s Office for examination and the necessary legal action.
Environmental inspectors warn that unauthorised mineral extraction can have a significant impact on the environment, leading to soil degradation, changes to the landscape, and damage to the quality and designated use of land.
Restoring affected areas may require complex remediation work and substantial financial resources.
The Environmental Protection Inspectorate reiterated that mineral resources must be exploited in accordance with current legislation. Any unauthorised intervention involving natural resources may result in legal liability and an obligation to compensate for the environmental damage caused.