Russian Occupation Authorities Grant Gold Mining Licenses in Luhansk, Creating a Monopoly.

Illegal Resource Extraction in Occupied Luhansk

According to UATV: In the temporarily occupied part of Ukraine's Luhansk region, Russian occupation authorities have begun the illegal exploitation of natural resources by issuing four licenses for gold exploration and mining. These licenses also grant rights to search for copper and zinc. The new permits were awarded to the company 'Gorno-dobyvayushchaya kompaniya "Severnaya"' (Northern Mining Company), which now holds exclusive access to an area exceeding 250 square kilometers. This move is part of a broader pattern of resource extraction in occupied territories, which violates international law.

Environmental and Social Consequences

It is important to note that in the territories of Luhansk and Donetsk regions, over 90 mines are already flooded, creating hazardous and complex conditions for mineral extraction. Despite this, the 'Severnaya' company is proceeding with its exploration and mining plans, raising significant concerns among the local population and experts. The exploitation of resources under these circumstances raises profound questions about the legality and ethics of the occupation administration's actions.

This situation highlights the serious environmental and social consequences that could arise from the activities of the 'Severnaya' company.

The illegal exploitation of resources in a war zone is likely to lead to a further deterioration of the environmental situation in the region and create additional problems for local residents, who are already suffering from the consequences of the conflict. The legitimacy of such actions by the occupation administration remains a key focus for international human rights organizations, as they could have serious legal implications for all parties involved.