Law on subsoil.

This Law stipulates that subsoil may pertain to state, municipal, private or other property. Only small deposits on the surface of common minerals may pertain to such property if located thereon. Subsoil shall be used for: (a) exploration; (b) mining; (c) construction and management of subsoil facilities not related to the extraction of minerals or to oil and gas reservoirs, burial of hazardous substances, etc.; and (d) establishing protected areas (geological reserves, caves or other underground cavities). Management of subsoil pertaining to state property shall be subject to mandatory licensing. Concessions for subsoil management shall be granted through tenders. The Law consists of eight sections: (1) general provisions; (2) ownership and usage rights; (3) grounds for and modalities of subsoil management; (4) relationships between subsoil managers and landowners; (5) state regulation of subsoil management; (6) taxes on and payments for subsoil management; (7) dispute settlement and liability; and (8) final provisions. Subsoil managers must enter into contracts for subsoil management with landowners. Information on subsoil financed with the state budget shall be state property. Subsoil management shall be carried out on a paid basis.