Explosive Substances Handling

The Competency Certificate can only be granted to natural persons.

Any person may be granted with the Certificate of Competency by the Inspector of Explosive Substances and shall be personally responsible to handle, use and care explosive substances (under a license granted by the Inspector of Explosive Substances) while in his/her use or under his/her supervision, if he/she:

• Is above 16 years old;
• Has a certificate of clear criminal record of crimes related to explosive substances, terrorism, violence or felon;
• Has a certificate of physical, mental and psychological health;
• Has a signed certificate from one other Certificate of Competency holder that the applicant was working as an assistant under his supervision and by this is judged capable;
• Succeeds in theoretical and practical examination by the Inspector of Explosive Substances, concerning the handling of the various types of explosives.

The application for the Competency Certificate can be submitted either through the PSC Cyprus or you can contact directly the:

Mines Service
1422 Nicosia
Tel.:+357 22409277, +357 22409288
Fax:+357 22316872
E-mail : minesinfo@mines.moa.gov.cy
Website : http://www.moa.gov.cy/mines

1. The application must be accompanied by the following documents:

   1. Original identification card (It may be presented at the time of the examination or the interview);
   2. Original certificate of clear criminal record;
   3. Original Certificate of physical, mental and psychological health by a doctor;
   4. Original Certification by a holder of Certificate of Competency that the applicant was working as an assistant under his/hers provision and by this is judged capable;
   5. Receipt of registration fee of €85.

   The certificates numbered 2 to 4 above have to be accompanied by a certified translation in Greek.

   In case the applicant is an EU member state citizen, an original valid Certificate of Competency from the EU member state is accepted instead of the certificates numbered 2 to 4 above, provided that a certified translation in Greek of this Certificate is submitted with the original and the applicant will have an interview arranged by the Inspector of Explosive Substances.

   The applicant will be notified to attend theoretical and practical examination.

The registration fee is €85 and is payable either by cash, cheque or bank transfer.

The licence renewal fee is €85 and is payable either by cash, cheque or bank transfer.

Administrative Action Against a Competent Authority’s Decision

Any person may file an Administrative Action at the Administrative court against a decision, act or omission of any competent authority or body.

Pursuant to Article 146 of the Constitution, an Administrative Action may be lodged within 75 days from the date of the decision or act or omission or from the day when such decision or act or omission was notified to the applicant.

The Administrative Court acts as a cassation Court and not as a substantive Court. In other words, the Administrative Court may:
I. Dismiss the Administrative Action
II. Annul wholly or partially the contested decision or act
III. Compel the relevant authority or body to take a certain action

After a decision is annulled, the authority and/or public body must reverse things back to the state prior to when the concerned decision and/or act was executed and reexamine.

Appeal Information

An Appeal may be filed against the Administrative Court’s first-instance decision within a period of 42 days from the date such decision was given.

At the Supreme Court (Court of Appeal Section) hearing, the contested issue of the appeal remains the legality of the decision or act already adjudicated for. However, such revision of the legality of the decision or act is solely examined on the matters and the extent that the two parties have limited the reasons in the relevant notice of appeal.

The decision adopted by the Supreme Court is considered final in relation to the matter that has been judged.

• The Explosive Substances Law (Cap. 54)
• The Explosive Substances Regulations (see “Applications & Documents”)

The holder of the Competency Certificate should act under the following terms:

• He/she has to hold a copy of the license that he acts for and he/she has to act according to the terms of this license;
• Not to keep any explosive substances unless he is acting according to a license which was issued by the Inspector of Explosive Substances and his/her name is included in this license as a Certificate of Competency holder to act accordingly;
• He/she acts only based on the license and the activities mentioned on the certificate;
• Always acts carefully and upon the relevant regulations in order to ensure public and material safety.

The Inspector of Explosives shall at any time have the right to examine any holder of the Certificate of Competency and may suspend or cancel such certificate if the holder has shown himself incompetent or is guilty of negligence in his execution of his duties or of any misconduct or is suffering of any physical infirmity likely to be detrimental to the efficient discharge of his duties. Any suspension of the certificate may be noted on the certificate. It shall be an offence for any person to transfer or accept transference of any Certificate of Competency.

Holders of Certificates of Competency to handle explosive substances and to conduct blasting operations shall observe and shall be responsible for the observation of the following regulations:

• Explosive substances shall not be carried about either on the surface or underground except in sound, unopened cases of origin or in other boxes or sacks of stout canvas approved by the Inspector of Explosives;
• Detonators shall not be carried about in the same box or canvas sack as other explosive substances nor shall the same person be permitted to carry detonators with other explosive substances;
• No person whilst carrying explosive substances shall carry any naked light, but may be accompanied at a safe distance by another person carrying such light;
• No smoking shall be allowed when handling explosive substances nor at any time shall a naked light be set above nor anywhere within 1 meter of any explosive substance;
• Cases of explosives shall only be opened by means of brass or wooden wedges and wooden mallets.