Iryna Suprun noted: the mining business in Ukraine should strive to become ecological

On June 29, in Kyiv, the National Congress of Environmental Professionals-2023 took place, which united efforts around developing solutions for improving current legislation and accelerating the implementation of EU environmental directives by all participants in the field – business, government, communities, and science.

The founder of Geological Investment Group LLC, Iryna Suprun, participated in the event and pointed out the immediate need to work on regulating waste management legislation in the mining sector in Ukraine.

«The responsible business in the mining sector faces challenges that require considered and effective solutions that will transform the subsoil use sector in Ukraine into a ‘green sector.’ Unfortunately, the mining business in Ukraine is still considered not very ecological. And our task is to make it cleaner. Historically, the mining sector in Ukraine inherited, among other things, a lot of waste from previous generations, which creates significant challenges and environmental problems,» said Iryna Suprun, CEO of the Geological Investment Group and attorney, during her speech.

Speaking of the subsoil use sector and the consequences it creates, only recently have discussions started about the legal regulation of waste management. «Unfortunately, for 32 years in Ukraine, this was not mentioned. Only now are we beginning to develop a legal framework that would address this huge environmental problem that has been escalating over the years», noted Iryna Suprun.

It is worth noting that, according to the estimates of the Ministry of Environmental Protection, there are currently about 14 billion tons of waste from the mining industry on Ukrainian landfills, which has already created a significant problem for our ecology.

As a future member of the European Union, Ukraine has undertaken commitments to the EU regarding waste management issues. Accordingly, there is Directive 2006/21/EC of March 15, 2006, which specifically requires the adaptation of national legislation in the field of mining industry management.

According to Iryna Suprun, Ukraine has finally received a framework law on waste management that is coming into force. This refers to the Law of Ukraine №2320-IX of June 10, 2022. This Law requires the development of a specific law that would regulate issues of waste in the mining industry.

«Prior to the full-scale invasion, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine had begun developing such a bill, and a corresponding working group was created. Now we expect the Ministry to resume this work and that the business will be able to participate in its development, so that in the near future, everyone will receive the expected result,» says CEO of the Geological Investment Group.

The specific bill that will regulate waste management in the mining industry primarily concerns business and its activities. Therefore, to develop effective legislation, it is necessary to involve all relevant structures: the state, business, scientists, professional associations, etc.