Province of Rio NegroDecree 1859 enacted by the Provincial Executive Power on 12/12/2012 (published on the Official Gazette on 12/31/2012)

This decree approves the regulation of Law 4,738, which created the Provincial Council for Mining Environmental Assessment (Consejo Provincial de Evaluación Ambiental Minera or Co.P.E.A.M.). This regulation establishes that the enforcement authority will be collegiate, formed by the Secretary of Energy and the Secretary of Environment and Sustainable Development. The CO.P.E.A.M will operate within the Mining Secretariat, which will function as its administrative office.
The Environmental Impact Assessment proceedings will consist of 4 stages: a) Environmental Impact Study, which will be deemed as an affidavit and signed by the owner of the project and by qualified professionals registered in the Environmental Consultants Registry. Also, the Decree sets forth minimum standards to which the study must adjust; b) Technical Report of the Mining Secretary; c) Environmental Impact Assessment carried out by the Secretary of Environment and Sustainable Development, and a report by the CO.P.E.A.M, suggesting its approval or rejection, or if necessary, requesting from the enforcement authority further study of sensitive issues. D) Hearing: The public hearing will be held after the CO.P.E.A.M issues its report and prior to the Environmental Authorization. Its development will be ruled by Law J No. 3284. Its cost will be settled by the holder of the project submitted to evaluation.
The holders of rights or mining concessions of the first category, as well as those who process the mineral must follow these proceedings to obtain the environmental authorization. Those who already have the environmental authorization by the time the Law 4738 was passed once the authorization expires must also follow such proceedings.