In 2015, Cambodia produced cement, gravel, laterite, sand, and stone mostly for domestic consumption. According to the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Cambodia has resources of bauxite, copper, gold, iron ore, kaolin, lead, limestone, ruby, sapphire, tin, and zinc; however, the potential and the extent of these mineral resources were unknown owing to the lack of geologic surveys. The country was also facing the challenges of not having an established regulatory and legislative framework to oversee the mining industry, nor the infrastructure to support it. During the past few years, the Government had granted a number of exploration permits for bauxite, iron ore, and precious minerals, but most projects were still in the exploration stage.

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