Proposed by-law imposes fees on mining companies in Maan

AMMAN — Maan Municipality has proposed a by-law to impose fees on quarries and mining companies to collect revenues for maintaining damaged infrastructure, according to Mayor Majed Sharari.

In a report published by the Jordan News Agency, Petra, on Sunday, Sharari said the by-law would provide a legal basis to collect fees from companies and investment projects in Maan that cause damage to infrastructure and pollute the environment.

He noted support from “huge” companies to Maan Municipality is limited and does not cover the damage caused by mining. 

The proposed by-law covers any company that works in the field of mining, or transformative and chemical industries in Maan, 220km south of Amman, as well as any firm or person that excavates rocks to reshape them or sell them as raw materials.

The municipality proposed the by-law in 2004 and has renewed the proposition this year, Sharari said, adding that the legislation was presented to the Lower House’s Legal and Administrative Committee during a recent visit to Maan to push stakeholders to accelerate the legal steps required for endorsement.

The fees stipulated by the new by-law on mining companies include 100 fils for each excavated tonne of phosphate and 500 fils for each tonne of phosphoric acid, among other rates.

Speaking to Petra, Jordan Phosphate Mines Company Chairman Amer Majali welcomed the suggested by-law since it forms an important step in setting the framework for companies to serve the community, especially in the areas close to mining sites.