Government has restored strategic natural assets to state ownership

The Government has returned strategic natural assets to the state. Special permits for the use of the Malyshevske deposit in the Dnipropetrovsk region, as well as the Valky-Gatskovskoye and Mezhyrichne deposits in the Zhytomyr region, have been suspended due to sanctions imposed on the ultimate beneficial owner, Dmitro Firtash. This was announced by Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko.

"The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has included these deposits in the list of subsoil areas for which special permits may be granted through transparent electronic auctions. This opens up the possibility of attracting conscientious investors and developing production on competitive and open terms. The next stage is to wait for initiatives from businesses to obtain the right to use these subsoil resources through open auctions," said the Head of Government.

At the same time, the State Service of Geology and Mineral Resources of Ukraine is conducting an audit of so-called “dormant” special permits for strategic minerals. In total, there are 38 special permits. The Government expects the results of this work in the near future.

“Strategic minerals are a resource for economic development and national security. They must work for Ukraine: create jobs, attract investment, and develop through fair competition and transparent rules for businesses,” summed up Yulia Svyrydenko.