Technogenic mineral accumulations: problems of transition to circular economy

Abstract

The study hypothesis is determined by the statement that the identification of a set of issues covering all stages of introducing technogenic deposits into economic turnover will allow focusing on solving a set of complex problems associated with technogenic mineral accumulations (mining waste). The aim of the study was to identify problems requiring priority resolution, which, in turn, accelerated the transition to a circular economy (implementation of the concept of closed supply chains) in the context of handling technogenic mineral accumulations. In the course of the study, issues of legal nature were identified (caused by the absence of the legal status of technogenic deposits and the regulation of their use regime in the Federal Law of the Russian Federation “On Subsoil”). A number of aspects are due to the complexity and cost of development of technogenic deposits, which are rightfully classified as unconventional types of raw materials, and in most cases require state support (for involving in commercial exploitation) in the form of a system of economic incentives, the feasibility of which should be confirmed by newly-elaborated regulatory legal acts. State should use the tools of public-private partnership in solving waste problems, in particular, referring to the positively proven experience of implementing regional target programs for processing of technogenic mineral accumulations. Viability of transition to circular economy in the sphere of handling technogenic mineral accumulations depends on the timeliness of the identified problems solution.