Illegal mining operations worth over ₴1.5 billion were uncovered in a number of regions
In five regions of Ukraine, law enforcement officials reported nine suspects in a case involving the illegal extraction of mineral resources, which has caused losses to the state exceeding 1.5 billion hryvnias.
According to him, these are large-scale schemes of illegal exploitation of mineral resources involving state, municipal, and private entities, as well as officials at various levels.
“Illegal extraction of mineral resources. Over 1.5 billion hryvnias in losses to the state. 5 regions. 9 suspects,” Kravchenko wrote.
The Prosecutor General emphasized that mineral resources are the exclusive property of the Ukrainian people and may be used only on the basis of clear permits and conditions. At the same time, he said, some of the suspects knowingly violated the law, turning natural resources into a source of illicit enrichment.
Among the suspects are heads of state-owned and municipal enterprises, officials of state-owned companies, a mayor, an arbitration manager, and business representatives.
In total, according to the investigation, they illegally extracted more than 450,000 cubic meters of minerals, including granite, gabbro, groundwater, and other resources of national importance.
In one instance, as reported by the Prosecutor General, over 375,000 cubic meters of granite were illegally extracted, requiring at least 12 blasting operations. The losses in this case exceed 1.25 billion hryvnias.
In another case, over 60,000 cubic meters of groundwater were extracted without permits from wells belonging to the centralized water supply system. Estimated losses amount to over 12.6 million hryvnias.
According to the investigation, those involved in the schemes also embezzled state property, abused their official positions, and used state-owned equipment for illegal extraction
Ruslan Kravchenko emphasized that violating the people’s right to subsoil resources is a criminal offense and entails liability regardless of one’s position.
“The people’s right to ownership of subsoil resources is not merely a declaration. Violating it entails liability, regardless of one’s position. If a crime is committed, there will be consequences,” he noted.
This was stated by Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko.
Previously, law enforcement successfully uncovered and shut down a large-scale scheme for the illegal extraction of amber, which had been operating in the Rivne region under the guise of official geological exploration of the subsoil.
