The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted the Law "On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine Concerning the Strengthening of Responsibility for Illegal Extraction of Mineral Resources" (No. 3576). 307 MPs voted for him in the second reading.
The law defines liability for both individuals and legal entities for illegal mining of minerals of local and national importance.
Criminal liability for illegal mining of local minerals has been strengthened, as well as liability for illegal mining on a large scale and on an especially large scale has been introduced, and fines have been increased.
The corresponding changes have been made to the Criminal and Administrative Codes of Ukraine. From now on, persons engaged in illegal mining will be fined up to UAH 12 million, or they will be held liable in the form of imprisonment for a term of 2 to 8 years.
“A law has been adopted, which is designed to make you think three times before starting unauthorized mining,” comments Roman Opimakh, Chairman of the State Service of Geology and Mineral Resources of Ukraine. “I am grateful to the people's deputies for their strong support of these, of course, important legislative initiatives.”
Also, at the parliamentary meeting, the draft law "On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine Concerning Ensuring Transparency in the Extractive Industries" (No. 3790) was supported in the first reading, designed to make the extractive industry even more transparent and obligatory for accountability to society.
Let us remind you that the draft law "On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine Concerning the Improvement of Legislation in the Sphere of Subsoil Use" (No. 4187) was adopted in the first reading. The initiative was developed to modernize the regulation of the industry, to make subsoil use an investment-attractive sphere, and the rules of the game are clear and predictable. The document is now being prepared for a second reading.
