Decree No. 328 of the Cabinet of Ministers validating selection criteria and the list of perspective areas and deposits of strategically important type of solid mineral resources for geological exploration and industrial development with the involvement of foreign investments.

The Government validates selection criteria of perspective areas and deposits of strategically important type of solid mineral resources for geological exploration and industrial development with the involvement of foreign investments (Annex 1), the list of perspective areas and deposits of strategically important type of solid mineral resources for geological exploration and industrial development with the involvement of foreign investments (Annex 2) and the list of strategically important type of solid mineral resources for geological exploration and industrial development with the involvement of foreign investments (Annex 3). Selection criteria for perspective areas shall be set forth as follows: (a) the absence of approved long-term state development and reproduction programs of the mineral deposits; (b) location - the territory within which there are indicators for conduct of geological exploration and geological prerequisites for the prospecting of minerals (with the exception of protected natural areas, border zones, zones of manifestations of dangerous geological processes and urban development and land-use planning); (c) the extension of the area - no more than 1500 sq. km; (d) the depth of the exploration area - within the perspective mineralization zones; (e) the presence of manifestations of other minerals within the prospective area is not limited; and (f) the presence of associated components (in ores) is not limited. Selection criteria for mineral deposits shall be set forth as follows: (a) absence of the validated long-term programs of metal manufacturing and perspective plans for the development of mining and extraction activities; (b) location outside protected areas, border zones and zones of manifestation of dangerous geological processes; (c) the depth of mineral deposits must be economically substantiated for mining and extraction of minerals; (d) the presence of manifestations of other minerals within the prospective area is not limited; and (e) environmental impact, including impact on potable water quality, and other technological emergency situations shall be excluded.