Law No. 2868 on subsoil and subsoil management.

The purpose of this Law shall be to regulate subsoil management with a view to protect natural resources, to ensure the rational management and protection of subsoil. It covers exploration, mining, extraction of minerals and groundwater. The Act consists of ten Chapters divided into 76 articles: (1) general provisions; (2) competence of the executive bodies; (3) right of subsoil management; (4) repealed; (5) subsoil management contracts; (6) subsoil and environmental protection; (7) safety of the population and personnel; (8) state subsoil resources; (9) legal terms and conditions; (10) temporary and final provisions. Legal regulation of subsoil management shall be based on the following principles: (a) rationality; (b) subsoil and environmental protection; (c) reproduction of mineral resources; (d) chargeable use. Subsoil and minerals shall be the state property. The government shall carry out the following functions: (a) management of subsoil; (b) conservation of the plots of subsoil; (c) validation of the list of minerals for extraction. Management of subsoil shall be subject to licensing which shall pertain to the competence of the authorized subsoil institution. Subsoil management licence can be provisional or permanent and shall be issued for the following operations: (a) geological study; (b) exploration; (c) mining; (d) exploration and mining. Exploration contract shall be concluded for the period of six year and shall be extended twice for the period of two years. Extraction contract shall be concluded for the period of 25 years and, in case of big or unique mineral deposits, for the period of 45 years and shall be subject to extension. Exploration and mining contract shall be concluded for the period of exploration and mining with the possibility of extension. Subsoil monitoring consists of subsoil protection against environmental pollution, water leakage, fires and negative impact on mineral deposits and environment.