GENERAL OVERVIEW

Albania is a country with rich mineral resources. Mineral exploration, exploitation and processing constitutes a key component of the Albanian economy, due to a traditional mining industry that has been a solid foundation to the country economic sector generating substantial revenues. The minerals mined and treated in the past which still remain in Albania include chrome, copper, iron-nickel and coal. Mining industry development in Albania has passed through three main stages:

The first stage includes the period before the World War II. It has been marked by two important events of the mining industry. In 1922 was compiled the first Geological Map of Albania, the first of its kind in the Balkans, whereas 1929 signs the approve of the Mining Law of the Albanian Kingdom, which paved the way to the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources.

The second stage (1944-1994) marks the period when the mining activity has been organized in state-owned enterprises.

The third stage includes the period from 1994 up to date. It is the most important period of the mining industry, during which it is enabled the transition from an economically centralized type of operation into one based on the free market. With the assistance of the World Bank, in 1994 it was composed and approved the Mining Law of Albania.