This Law approves the Mining Code. This Code, consisting of 161 articles divided into twenty Chapters and three Annexes, establishes the legal regime applicable to Mining Activities in the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. The administration of Mining Activities relating to Minerals that are not classified as Strategic Minerals under article 6 of this Code in the Special Administrative Region of Oe-Cusse Ambeno, is the responsibility of the Regional bodies as defined. The Code has the following strategic objectives: a) guarantee the country's sustained socio-economic development through research activities; b) create employment and improve the living conditions of populations living in mining areas; c) protect the environment by minimizing the negative impact that geological-mining operations may cause to the environment, as well as its environmental recovery; d) ensure the development of national human capital through training programmes and human resources development; e) guarantee tax revenue for the State; f) ensure gender integration and combat discriminatory practices in this industry; g) combat illegal mining practices; h) establish an effective regime for granting mining rights, based on the generic principle of free access within the framework of the mining policy and strategy; i) encourage the use of national mineral resources; j) encourage the reinvestment in the country of income from the exploitation of mineral resources, etc.