Press Release: State aid: Commission opens in-depth inquiry into support to Italian public mining company Fluorite di Silius

The European Commission has launched an in-depth investigation to establish whether Italy has infringed EC Treaty state aid rules as a result of the region of Sardinia awarding a concession to operate the mine "Genna Tres Montis" to the newly created public company Fluorite di Silius S.p.A. In particular, the Commission has doubts whether the region has acted in conformity with the market investor principle. The Commission is also concerned that the new company would inherit part of the state aid received by its predecessor Nuova Mineraria Silius S.p.A., which the Commission found incompatible on 21st February 2007 (see IP/07/224). The opening of an in-depth inquiry gives interested parties the possibility to comment on the measures under scrutiny. It does not prejudge the outcome of the procedure.