Law No. 160 “On subsoil”.

This Law establishes the modalities of state legal regulation, plenary powers and competence of state bodies, local self-government, rights and duties of natural and legal persons, and also liability in the sphere of subsoil management. The right of management of subsoil conceded in accordance with this Law shall not be subject to regulation by the national legislation on licensing. Subsoil shall be exclusive state property and as such shall be protected by the state (Art. 3). All the subsoil on the national territory shall form State Fund of Subsoil (Art. 10). Mineral deposits shall be subject to compulsory state registration and insertion in the State Fund of Subsoil (Art. 11). The right of use of mineral deposits of national significance shall be conceded exclusively through tenders (Art. 15). Geological information on subsoil shall be state property (Art. 16). Subsoil can be conceded for the following purposes: (a) mapping of mineral deposits and research; (b) exploration; (c) mining; (d) collection of minerals and paleontological collections for commercial purposes; and (e) extraction of construction materials (Art. 19). The right of use of subsoil can originate in accordance with: (a) licence; (b) state registration; and (c) concession contract (Art. 20). The period of subsoil management shall be from 5 to 20 years with subsequent renewal of authorization until exhaustion of minerals (Art. 22).