Law of Georgia on Subsoil (No. 242–IIS of 1996)

This Law regulates subsoil in Georgia. Subsoil located on the land territory, its territorial waters, continental shelf and special economic zones of Georgia is a national treasure of Georgia and it is protected by the State. The Law defines subsoil as part of the earth crust, which is exposed on the ground surface or located in layers of soil and reservoirs, as well as under the soil layer and the bottom of the reservoir, and which is available for exploration and usage. Mineral resources are natural and technogenic formations and/or a combination thereof, which are available in subsoil. Mineral resources that may be extracted or treated at the modern scientific and technological development level, and which is economically feasible and environmentally acceptable, are mineral resources which, depending on the spheres of their designation and use, may be divided into fuel and energy, ore (ferrous and non-ferrous metal ores), construction materials, mining and chemical raw materials, groundwater and non-fuel gas types, and other non-metallic mineral types. Within metalliferous deposits, main and ancillary mineral resources may be selected. In this case the type of metalliferous deposits shall be determined by the content of the main mineral resource within such deposits. The main mineral resource is the main useful component available in the metalliferous deposits, for the extraction of which mining works are carried out. The components available in ore, which are extracted and used together with the main mineral resource, shall represent ancillary mineral resources. Subsoil of Georgia is state property. Any action, which overtly or covertly infringes the right of state ownership of subsoil shall be prohibited and such transactions shall be invalid. The right of ownership of land shall not mean and shall not grant the right of ownership of subsoil. The purpose of this Law is to ensure the rational use of subsoil and mineral resources taking into account laws of nature and the potential capacity of the environment, the interests of present and future generations, and the principles of sustainable development. The Law is divided into eight chapters and 54 articles.