Mykolaiv region uncovers illegal mining with losses to the state of UAH 120 million

Mykolaiv region uncovers illegal mining with losses to the state of UAH 120 million pgo_gov_ua

Illia Fedun

The official extracted mineral resources for further sale

In Mykolaiv region, minerals of national importance were illegally mined, causing the state losses of more than UAH 120 million.

This was reported by the press service of the Prosecutor General's Office on Telegram.

According to the investigation, from January 2024 to September 2025, the director of a company in the Bashtanka district, by prior conspiracy with another person, extracted groundwater without the necessary permit for subsoil use.

pgo_gov_ua

Photo: pgo_gov_ua

Subsequently, the extracted resources were used for the production, packaging, and sale of drinking water to the population.  

During searches, specialists seized:  

1) an electric pump;

2) 10 industrial facilities of the production line for manufacturing and sorting plastic containers, as well as for product labeling;

3) over 2,000 containers with finished products (still and carbonated water); 

4) almost 900 empty containers and labeling devices; 

5) documentation with draft accounting records.

pgo_gov_ua

Photo: pgo_gov_ua

After calculating the losses, the damage to the state was estimated at over UAH 120 million. The issue of a preventive measure for the suspect is currently under consideration. 

A motion has also been submitted to the court requesting the seizure of physical evidence confiscated from the suspect.

pgo_gov_ua

Photo: pgo_gov_ua

The official faces punishment under part 3 of Article 240 (illegal mining of mineral resources of national importance). The perpetrator faces imprisonment or restriction of liberty for up to 2 years.

We remind EcoPolitic readers that illegal kaolin mining with losses for the state amounting to almost UAH 190 million was discovered in Zvenyhorod district of Cherkasy region.

Law enforcers accuse the director of a structural unit and a specialist of a local enterprise of illegal activities, who organized the illegal extraction of minerals of national importance – secondary kaolin.

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