Decline of the international price of some minerals, such as coal, has changed the living standards of the Arctic population leading to its considerable out-migration because of the drop in profitability not only in mining, but also in related industries. Being essential for the sustainable economic development, the highly qualified specialists are currently a crucial issue in the Arctic. This research employs demographic and economic indicators to address the gap in the study of demographic challenges for the Arctic administrative-territorial entities. Special attention is paid to the comparative analysis of the population dynamic in the Russian and global Arctic regions. As part of this study, the impact of the demographic factor on the economic indicators of the region was assessed on the basis of GRP data calculation. Special attention is paid to the analysis of the major trends in the Arctic labour market. Based on the results of the assessment, an increase in GRP was determined with the simultaneous decrease in the Arctic population. The current demographic situation in the Arctic regions in the context of gender factors was reviewed. It should be noted that the article contains exceptions and the causes of the phenomena described. The results of the research may contribute to better understanding of regional variation and trends in socio-economic development of the Arctic as well as the stabilisation of the Arctic population.

Groundwater belongs to the category of strategic minerals, along with hydrocarbon resources, so the supply of drinking water will become one of the urgent problems of modern society. The management of groundwater resources and their protection is a very complicated task, especially in border areas where neighboring states jointly exploit aquifers. The problem of transboundary water resources management, in particular groundwater, has been considered at the international level for more than 30 years. However, despite the adoption of a number of conventions, agreements and programs, both at the global and in the format of interstate relations, an understanding for the approach of a universal solution to the transboundary water issue has not yet been formed. An attempt to study the possibilities of applying the principles of unitization on the example of transboundary oil and gas fields in comparison with groundwater cross-border deposits is made in the paper for the first time. As a successful example, the unitization agreement between Norway and the UK for the development of the Frigg field was chosen. It is established that unitization agreements concluded by states in the joint development of transboundary mineral deposits, actively used in regulating the activities of transboundary oil and gas fields, can be used as one of the possible models of international agreements on the extraction of groundwater in transboundary territories.

According to UN experts, by 2030, about half of the world's population will suffer from a shortage of fresh water, which may cause future hostilities and conflicts. In this regard, extraction of such a valuable mineral as groundwater must be rationally managed. However, practice has shown that managing and protecting the groundwater resources is a very challenging task. As part of the analysis pertaining to the problem of legal regulation of groundwater extraction from transboundary aquifers and complexes, it is proposed to consider this aspect on the example of Russia. The problems of regulation of rational use and protection of fresh water in the bilateral agreements of the Russian Federation were identified; a methodology for managing groundwater extraction in the territory of a transboundary aquifer was developed, dimensions, parameters and factors affecting the formation of a transboundary zone were determined (using the example of research and analysis of water intake activities in the border territories of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Estonia).

The paper presents issues of evaluation objects of subsoil usage and reflecting information of mineral assets for oil and gas companies. Estimation of the objects in the mineral resources sector is regulated by IFRS 6 «Exploration for and Evaluation of Mineral Resources», Russian Financial Standard, US GAAP and other normative documents. The authors` idea is to capitalize costs connected with the stages of geological exploration process, what is considered as an innovative component. Concepts of natural and environmental capital are overviewed. Different classifications of reserves and mineral resources of various categories of oil and gas are analyzed. The results of the study show that capitalizing reserves as mineral assets in oil and gas companies is possible and economically profitable.

Groundwater,  as a source of water supply, the most important mineral and geopolitical resource, , is often the only source of high-quality drinking water that is protected from pollution under conditions of increasing deterioration of surface water quality. Transboundary groundwaters are the focus of hydrogeological researchers for a number of reasons, including the reduction and pollution of water resources as a result of economic activities. The increased controversy between states over transboundary water issues has necessitated  the development of international legal documents on issues related to water conflict prevention and the sustainable use of fresh water. As part of the analysis of the problem of legal regulation of groundwater extraction from transboundary aquifers and complexes, it is proposed to consider this aspect on the example of Russia. The problems of regulation of rational use and protection of fresh water in the bilateral  treaties of the Russian Federation were revealed; a methodology for the management of groundwater extraction in the territory of the transboundary aquifer  was developed, the size, parameters, and factors influencing the formation of the transboundary zone have been determined (based on research and analysis of water intake activities in the border areas of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Estonia) were determined.