The Russian government has not agreed with a bill liberalizing access of private investors to large gold fields, prepared by the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry.
The ministry suggested raising the threshold of reserves to qualify a field as strategic to 200 tons from 50 tons to draw private investment, because under the current law, the government can withdraw a license from a private owner of a strategic field, partially compensating earlier investment.
EY estimated a possible inflow of direct private investment in the industry in the unlikely case the bill became law at $400 million in 2018-2024 and contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP) at $17 billion. (Prime/Ukrainian metal)