Challenges and threats to modern subsoil use using the example of the Ural Federal District

Abstract

Relevance. Environmentally sustainable subsoil use requires full coordination of socio-economic and environmental subsystems. The growing economic problems, the deterioration of international relations, the approaching environmental crisis are causing challenges and threats that provoke disruptions in the operation of enterprises in the industry, which makes it necessary to identify threats and challenges in order to take systemic measures to mitigate the consequences or prevent them. The purpose of the study is to identify challenges and threats that pose a danger to subsoil use (using the example of the Ural Federal District). Research methods – generalization and analysis, methods of analogy, groupings, logical analysis, expert assessments. Results. The conceptual and categorical tools of the study have been clarified, the main challenges and threats that provoke the occurrence of adverse events for subsoil use, including the emergence of economic, social and environmental threats with a decoding of their characteristics, have been identified. Using the Delphi method in a lite variation by D. Peskov, three basic threats to the subsoil use of the Ural Federal District were identified with the involvement of 26 experts for evaluation. A detailed analysis of each of these threats has been carried out. The depletion of the mineral resource potential within the Ural Federal District and the need to meet the demand for raw materials through external and internal supplies were confirmed. Among the solid minerals are coal, manganese and chromium ores, copper raw materials, etc. An insufficient level of funding for geological exploration has also been determined. The analysis of the threat associated with the dependence of the industry on foreign IT products was performed in great detail. Data on the assessment of the current situation at enterprises engaged in subsoil use in the Ural Federal District are given. Possible ways out of the current critical situation are considered. Conclusions. The consequences of the identified threats for subsoil use are formulated. The need to reduce the impact of threats is substantiated: the depletion of the mineral resource potential, the reduction in funding for geological exploration and the dependence of the industry on foreign IT products.