Kislotoupor company has officially appealed to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine urging support for the current version of draft laws on amendments to the Land Code. This initiative aims to prevent speculative activities with prices on land plots designated for mineral extraction. Over recent years, a troubling trend has been observed: the cost of land plots hosting mineral deposits is being artificially inflated by intermediaries and speculators, significantly complicating access for bona fide subsoil users to the resource base and restraining the development of the mining industry as a whole.

The problem of speculation with land plots has become systemic in nature. After the announcement of geological exploration results or the issuance of extraction permits, certain individuals and entities purposefully purchase adjacent land plots at minimal prices and then resell them to subsoil users at costs that exceed market value by tenfold. Such practices not only increase the cost of extraction but also render many promising projects unprofitable. According to expert estimates, Ukraine loses tens of millions of dollars in potential investments in the mining industry annually due to land speculation.

The impact of land legislation on the investment attractiveness of the mining industry is difficult to overestimate. International investors, when evaluating the feasibility of investing in mineral extraction in Ukraine, primarily analyze the legal environment and risks associated with land relations. Vague legislative norms, the absence of effective mechanisms for protecting subsoil users' rights, and the potential for abuse create a negative investment climate. According to international rankings, Ukraine significantly lags behind its competitors precisely due to land-related issues, despite possessing rich mineral resources.

Kislotoupor's position on protecting subsoil users' rights is based on many years of experience in the industry. The company consistently advocates for establishing clear legal mechanisms that would ensure priority rights for subsoil users to access land plots within the boundaries of their special permits. Additionally, the implementation of a transparent pricing system for land plots is necessary -- one that would prevent manipulation and speculative price inflation. Kislotoupor actively cooperates with industry associations and public organizations to promote these initiatives at the legislative level.

Among the company's specific proposals for legislative improvement are the introduction of a mechanism for compulsory purchase of land plots for subsoil use needs at normative monetary valuation, the creation of a register of land plots with restrictions on their intended use, and the strengthening of liability for speculative land transactions. The implementation of these proposals would significantly improve the investment climate in the mining industry, attract additional foreign investments, and promote the development of Ukraine's economy as a whole. Kislotoupor is ready to take an active part in the development of relevant legislative acts and share its practical experience.