On July 22, 2025, an event of strategic importance for subsurface users took place in the capital of the Republic of Bashkortostan — an expanded meeting of the Interdepartmental Commission on the Activities of Subsurface Users and the prevention of offenses in the field of subsurface use.
The meeting was personally conducted by Radiy Khabirov, the Head of the Republic of Bashkortostan.
The commission was attended by key players in the subsurface use industry:
Rosnedra representatives:
• Oleg Kazanov— Head of Rosnedra
• Almaz Takiev — Advisor to the Head of Rosnedra
• Alexey Rudnev — Head of the Department of Geology of Solid Minerals
• Alexander Smirnov — Acting Head of the Department of Subsoil Use in the Volga Federal District
• Konstantin Gorokhov — Deputy Director of Subsurface Use Licensing (Rosgeolexpertiza)
Other participants:
• Heads of federal and regional authorities
• Representatives of supervisory structures in the field of subsoil use
• Deputies of the State Duma of the Russian Federation
• Heads of municipalities
• Representatives of subsurface user companies
The meeting of the interdepartmental commission considered key topics for the industry:
1. Geological exploration
• Improving the efficiency of exploration
• Optimization of procedures for obtaining licenses for geological exploration
2. Reclamation of disturbed lands
• Improvement of the requirements for the restoration of territories
• Monitoring the fulfillment of obligations of subsurface users
3. Compliance with the legislation on subsurface use
• Prevention of violations in the field of subsoil use
• Strengthening oversight functions
4. Launching new production projects
• Support for investment initiatives in the mining industry
• Simplification of administrative procedures for subsurface users
Oleg Kazanov, Head of Rosnedra, emphasized the uniqueness of the interaction format:
“The Interdepartmental Commission in Bashkortostan is a rare example in Russia when heads of industry departments and supervisory authorities work at the same table. This makes it possible to effectively address current issues of subsurface use, while maintaining a balance between the interests of subsurface users and the public.”
Practical significance for subsurface users
The decisions of the interdepartmental commission will have a direct impact on the activities of mining companies in the region:
• Simplification of procedures for licensing subsurface use
• Increasing the transparency of interaction with supervisory authorities
• Development of a dialogue between business and government
• Optimization of land reclamation requirements
Prospects for the development of subsurface use in Bashkortostan
The work of the interdepartmental commission is aimed at creating favorable conditions for:
• Attracting investments in geological exploration
• Development of new mineral deposits
• Modernization of existing mining enterprises
• Increasing the environmental responsibility of subsurface users