MME collects $70M in non-tax revenue from mines

MME collects $70M in non-tax revenue from mines

The sector’s robust growth this year follows a strong performance in 2025, when the MME collected approximately $135 million in non-tax revenue, representing an almost 44 percent increase compared to the $94.32 million recorded in 2024.

Cambodia’s mining sector remains one of the drivers of national economic growth, generating approximately $70 million in non-tax revenue in the first five months of 2026.

In accordance with the Cambodian government’s policy on public financial management reform, the mining sector has been playing an important role in supporting the country’s development and national economic growth.

The achievement was highlighted by Ung Dipola, Director-General of the General Department of Mineral Resources of the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), during a workshop held recently on the theme ‘Improving the efficiency of non-fiscal revenue collection management from the mining sector’.

During the workshop, Dipola said that the mining sector helps ensure a sustainable supply of construction materials at reasonable prices to meet the needs of infrastructure developments and small and large construction projects.

Other than directly contributing to the construction industry growth, the mining sector also creates jobs and economic opportunities for local people, acting as a new source of revenue for the national budget collection, he added.

Dipola continued that in addition to the $70 million in non-tax revenue collected so far this year, the sector also contributes significantly to regular tax revenues, driven by customs duties on mineral exports such as gold bars and other resources, making mineral resource operations also part of tax revenues.

Customs duties collected from the export of mineral products, including sand, gold, iron ore, sawdust, and manganese ore, form part of fiscal revenue, underscoring the importance of mining operations as a major contributor to the national budget.

The sector’s robust growth follows a strong performance in 2025, when the MME collected approximately $135 million in non-tax revenue, representing almost 44 percent increase compared to the $94.32 million recorded in 2024.

This sharp increase in revenue reflects the government’s efforts to transform mineral resources into a key contributor to national economic growth. This non-tax revenue collected from the sector will be allocated to support the development of priority sectors, such as public health, education, national defence, public infrastructure, and rural development.

Meanwhile, the Cambodian government is also committed to environmental protection with regard to the operation of mines.

According to Keo Rottanak, Minister of Mines and Energy, operators who fail to comply with related laws and mining regulations, including the exploration and extraction of mines and other mineral resources, will not be granted licences.

khmertimeskh