Legal aspects of mining in Ukraine: European integration vector

Abstract

Purpose is analysis of the current legal tools and acts in the field of mining in the European Union to identify and substantiate their potential consideration while reforming Ukrainian legislation in the context of European integration, energy transformation, and postwar recovery. Methods. The study is a sequential analysis of the European sources for legal support of mining. The analysis is aimed at determination of tendencies, their necessity and implementation expediency while reforming the national legislation on subsoil as well as mining legislation. Findings. Elements of the current legal mechanism from the viewpoint of subsoil use in the EU have been reviewed. Moreover, they have been systemized according to following types: tools and institutions; messages (communications) and reports; and directives, instructions, procedural rules, and the EU decisions. Reformation tendencies of legal mining support have been substantiated. The tendencies depend upon the fact that Ukraine selected the Eurointegration vector as well as upon the necessity to decarbonize power sector and postwar recovery specificity. The regulations, relevant for reforming provisions of mining legislation of the certain EU member states required for legal mining support in the field of investment, institutional, permissive, and contractual relations, have been defined. Originality is substantiation of expedient use of sustainable European practices in the legal regulation of Ukrainian mining sector based upon the achievement of symbiosis of preserving the national interests as well as fulfillment of integration obligations in the process of energy transformation and postwar recovery. Practical implications are expedient implementation of the findings in the process of legislative activities; law enforcement actions by officers of the authorized state bodies and economic entities in the field of mining; and research connected with further development of mining law theory; and academic activities related to teaching of topics concerning the current legal aspects of mining.

Achieving climate neutrality in coal mining regions through the underground coal gasification

“…Today, a number of the first pilot projects are being considered regarding the creation of tourist and technological centers on the basis of coal enterprises: "Velykomostivska" Mine (the city of Chervonohrad, Lviv Oblast), 5/6 Mine (the city of Myrnohrad, until 2016 -Dymytrov, Donetsk Oblast) [37]. This approach is quite valid when coal reserves are depleted [38]. However, given the existing potential, it is necessary, first of all, to consider the possibility of implementing innovative technological solutions for coal mining.…”

Managing the process of underground coal gasification

“…On the way of Ukraine's integration into the European Union, the Ukrainian energy sector should develop according to Europe an legislation, comply with one climate policy and become more climateoriented. Reducing carbon emissions is a key measure to combating global climate change [2].…”