A legislative package has been circulated, proposing to simplify the procedures for granting soil management rights and acquiring land for soil management. The legislative initiative aims to mitigate risks for the mining industry by ensuring that, after obtaining all necessary permits for soil management, land-related issues do not become an obstacle to mining operations.
This initiative stems from the Mining Sector Development Strategy.
During a meeting of the Multi-Stakeholder Group (MSG) of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), the representatives of the civil society constituency considered the drafted legislative package problematic, stating that it is unconstitutional. At the end of 2025, at the invitation of the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure (MTAI), discussions on the draft laws were held with the participation of representatives from the Ministry, the EITI MSG business constituency, and the civil society constituency.
According to the legislative proposal, following the first public hearing, the community council must grant consent for the use of state- and community-owned land plots for the purpose of mineral extraction. Subsequently, upon submission by the subsoil user of a positive environmental impact assessment conclusion, a soil management right, and other required documents, the community council must, within a two-month period and under a simplified procedure, change the designated land use category of the plot (except for specially protected areas and forest lands) to industrial use.
It is also proposed that privately owned land or real estate may be allocated for soil management through a notarized agreement between the landowner and the subsoil user. In cases where the landowner refuses to fulfill the agreed terms, the owner will be required to provide compensation in the amount of twenty-five thousand times the minimum monthly wage.
Representatives of the civil society constituency considered it problematic that, as a result of the preliminary hearing, the community council would not only grant consent for land allocation but also approve the activity itself. They noted that during the first hearing, the risks associated with the activity are not presented, meaning that the council is not fully informed about what it is approving or rejecting.
The Deputy Minister stated: “Since the Ministry of Justice does not see any unconstitutional provisions, let the draft move forward. In the National Assembly, I will request that all parties be invited to the relevant committee so that you can attend and make your voices heard.”
February 18, 2026 at 16:02