Saint-Petersburg Mining University, Russia:

V. P. Zubov, Head of a Chair, Professor, Doctor of of Engineering Sciences, spggi_zubov@mail.ru

The article underlines urgency of questions associated with lowering of loss of such strategical and vital minerals as coal and potash. The actual data on mining losses of potash and coal at Russian mines are shown. Main causes of extraction losses are listed. Negative consequences of fi rst-priority selective extraction of high quality resources during underground mining of adjacent coal seams are described. Author outlines that right of ownership of natural resources is not absolute and is bounded by public interest. A conclusion is made, that in modern mining industry such situations may occur, when high demand of profi t for a license holder may lead to a great harm for state (social) perspectives. Author concludes that a strong need for a public-private partnership exits, there state perform control functions in making decisions on matters of mining of non-renewable natural resources.

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