Increasing the efficiency of developing deposits of solid minerals in the polar zone of the northeast of Russia is an objective necessity. Unlike traditional territories, the peculiarities of the region predetermine the use of new approaches and methods in studying the feasibility of developing various deposits, including the widely represented relatively small deposits. Compared to large ones, medium and small mining enterprises operating or created on their basis have fewer opportunities to protect their interests. Their design and actual technical and economic indicators are generally worse than those of more powerful economic entities. The decrease in the scale effect can be achieved in various ways. Reduction of risks in the implementation of investment projects is possible through more thorough study and subsequent additional training, as a rule, complex in structure and heterogeneous in quality deposits involved in operation. A set of basic and private principles of different levels and values has been formed, which should guide small and medium-sized enterprises in the planning, design and development of deposits in the polar zone of Russia. Its use in the preparation and decisionmaking allows at least partially to reduce the impact of complicating and costly production factors.