The Russian Ministry of Natural Resources plans to toughen penalties for the illegal extraction of non-metallic minerals, coal and peat. Fines will be calculated based on the cost of the extracted raw materials, which could lead to the legalization of the industry.
The Russian Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has proposed to significantly increase fines for the illegal extraction of non-metallic minerals, coal and peat. According to the new bill, the amount of fines will depend on the value of illegally extracted raw materials. This should encourage companies and individuals to legalize their activities.
Currently, fines for mining without a license are:
– for citizens – 3–5 thousand rubles,
– for officials – 30–50 thousand rubles,
– for legal entities – from 800 thousand to 1 million rubles.
The Ministry of Natural Resources proposes to introduce a new article 7.3.1 into the Code of Administrative Offenses (CAO) and establish minimum fines:
– for individuals – 5 thousand rubles,
– for officials – 50 thousand rubles,
– for legal entities – 1 million rubles.
For repeated violations, fines will be doubled and mining assets will be confiscated.
According to the department, annual budget losses due to non-payment of taxes range from 51 to 459 million rubles. The cost of illegally extracted minerals is estimated at 0.2–1.8 billion rubles per year. New fines will help compensate for losses and bring up to 5.4 billion rubles to the budget.
Tougher fines for illegal mining are aimed at combating “black” miners and legalizing the industry. This will increase budget revenues and reduce environmental damage.
Source: nedradv.ru
