The growth of market requirements for socio-economic and environmental parameters of mineral resources in most developed (“old”) mining areas (MA) of Ukraine has led to the closure of mines and quarries, including by the method of “wet conservation” (autorehabilitation uncontrolled flooding). This process is most actively developing in the MA of the Donbas, including in areas affected by armed conflict. In most developed EU countries, the decommissioning of coal mines (Ruhr, Lorraine, Wales), which have large depths (up to 1,0–1,5 km) and area (thousand sq. km) of minefields, is a research and production complex of post-mining (PM), which is based on scientific and technical measures to prevent dangerous changes in the geological environment (GE) - subsidence of the earth’s surface, flooding of lands, release of explosive and toxic gases, limiting the leakage of polluted water. In addition, the PM provides for the transformation of part of the mine workings into a hydraulic filtration system of mine water retention at a depth of 250–350 m in order to prevent the flow of pollutants into freshwater horizons and river network, preservation of regional aquicludes, degassing of mining space. In general, the set of PM measures is aimed at maintaining the balance and protective potential of the GE as a mineral and landscape base of the biosphere. In this regard, the article compares the protective potential of the GE of the Chornobyl accident zone and the Donbas region, as well as performs an expert assessment of the environmental protection potential of the PM in the leading MA of Ukraine. It is shown that a new model of mineral resourses use, structure of geological exploration works, scientific substantiation of maximum allowable changes of GE at closing of “old” and formation of new MA, improvement of environmental monitoring based on GIS technologies and remote sensing of the Earth are needed.

The geological industry of Kazakhstan is transiting to CRIRSCO, the international system of reporting standards for mineral reserves. In view of the set tasks, the problem of adjusting the geological and economic assessment of deposits is being updated in order to adapt it to the international requirements and to increase accessibility and transparency for a potential external investor. This research has been carried out on the basis of the Kazakhmys Corporation LLС, the largest international company engaged in exploring, mining and processing of various minerals. The authors of this paper have made an attempt to expand the geological and economic assessment of the enterprise by digitizing the key business processes. On the basis of the formed factual database of the geological and economic indicators and characteristics of the stratiform pyrite-copper-lead-zinc deposit Kusmuryn, which is part of the Kazakhmys Corporation LLС, the economic indicators of extracting associated components have been calculated. Digital transformation is a key area of technological development of the mining industry in Kazakhstan for the coming years. In this regard, automation of calculating the geological and economic assessment of the investigated field will allow the company not only to reduce investment and operating costs, but also to deepen the internal analytical work to monitor the effectiveness of the applied digital solutions. Transformation of the economy of Kazakhstan presupposes state support for promising regions. The article shows that transition of the Kusmuryn deposit to underground mining in the medium term will accelerate the solution of pressing regional problems and remove social tension in the monotowns adjacent to the deposit. In order to strengthen its position in the global economy, Kazakhstan strives to achieve socio-economic goals in the field of sustainable development. It has been established that changing the method of production and automation of business processes of the Kazakhmys Corporation LLС will have a positive effect on the energy efficiency due to more rational use of available technologies. The research will improve the validity of predictive management decisions to strengthen the financial and economic situation and the international positions of the mining and smelting enterprise.

Scientific and methodological aspects of the development of oil and gas fields at the use of hydraulic fracturing have been considered. The causes of unsatisfactory results at hydraulic fracturing, and also factors to be taken into account when choosing a well and a bed for hydraulic fracturing have been analyzed. It has been established that geological factors (in-place permeability, skin-factor, bed formation pressure, bed formation litho­logy, thickness, mechanical reservoir characteristics etc.) at hydraulic fracturing planning have a main impact on the hydraulic fracturing efficiency, and the errors introduced at the study of these factors are predetermined either by the insufficient study of collecting and host properties of the bed formation, or by the insufficient study of a trap.

Extraction of graphite and its use in various spheres of production and technology play a significant role in the economies of many countries. Distinctive characteristics of graphite, which is one of the most common forms of carbon in nature (good electrical conductivity, low hardness, resistance to heat and aggressive environments), are widely used by scientists in various scientific developments. After British researchers of Russian origin from the University of Manchester Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov published an article about properties of the first studied two-dimensional graphene crystal in the journal Science in 2004, and numerous studies of properties of the new material, the demand for graphite ore has been increasing, and, according to some forecasts, it will amount to more than $ 400 million by 2026. Natural flake graphite can be used in new technologies, such as graphene, which is now used in various scientific experiments, as well as in the production of lithium-ion batteries, fuel cells, nuclear and solar power plants. Geological conditions of the Zavallivske graphite deposit, which is the main source of graphite in Ukraine, have been briefly presented in the paper, and perspectives of identified areas that can become an additional reserve of graphite ore have been outlined. Significant prognosis resources of graphite in new deposits, which have been recently discovered in Ukraine (Burtynske, Balakhivske, Sachkinsko-Troitske, a number of new sites within the Zavallia area), allow not only to maintain at the appropriate level, but also, if necessary, expand existing mineral raw material base, so Ukraine could become one of the world's largest suppliers of graphite products. Graphene has a great mechanical strength and a very high thermal conductivity. An extremely high mobility of electrons makes graphene a perspective material for the application in various fields, in particular, as a future basis for nanoelectronics and possible replacement of silicon in integrated circuits. Results on the application of unique properties of graphene have been presented.

Geologic prospecting works (GPW) as a process of geological subsoil study with the use of a complex of special works and investigations lead to information acquisition on different geological objects, that is a powerful basis for creation of favorable investment development due to the systematized disclosure of information as regards prospective territories for the projects for forecast and search, estimating, prospecting and extracting works. The purpose of work is an analysis of the features of geological information arrangement during the economic-geological evaluation of mi­neral reserves and resources in Ukraine; a characteristic (classification) of types of geological information acquired at different stages of geological and feasibility studies (EGE-3, EGE-2, EGE-1); determination of geolo­gical information reliability and quality according to a stage of works. As a result, all geological works lead to acquisition of information on different geological objects that can be subdivided into two main categories – primary and secondary one. The methods for determination of the cost of geological information by the results obtained at any stage of works on the geological subsoil study have been presented. The cost of geological information is determined in view of the expenses given in the reports on geological subsoil study incurred during the performance of cameral works on a subsoil plot within which the cost of geological information is determined. When regulating the procedure for arrangement (granting in use and sale) of geological subsoil information, it is necessary to take into account legal features of information acquired for public and private funds. Despite the existence of legal norms in the field of subsoil use relating to geological subsoil study, today a stable mechanism of its legal support is under formation in the meanwhile. The legislation regulating the relations in the field of geological subsoil study requires improvement and agreement with other branches of legislation, stable and clear legal definitions and guarantees.