The draft forbids foreign citizens and legal entities to take part in auctions and use Russian minerals.
"The new law on minerals rules out the involvement of foreign citizens and legal persons in possible minerals development. Only Russian residents registered in the Russian Federation in accordance with the legislation may participate in auctions on the distribution of minerals and use them", Mr. Temkin said.
"We do not care where the users of minerals get the money", he added.
In his opinion, the new wording of the law eliminates many weak points in the old law, which was in operation since 1993. Particularly, property of the Russian minerals is now federal.
In addition, the right to use minerals will only be granted through auctions. Earlier, it could be through competitions.
"From now on, users of minerals will conclude civil legal agreements", Mr. Temkin said.
Among the new clauses is that the agreement may be cancelled only through court, while the old law said that representatives of the local authorities could terminate it.
Also, tough requirements are now put to the service forms and records.
At the same time, all minerals-use licenses issued before consideration of the new draft remain in force, Mr. Temkin said.
"If the new law is adopted, nobody will withdraw licenses. Their reissuance will be strictly voluntary", the deputy minister noted.
He cited among the faults of the old law investment risks, lack of sanctions for violating the minerals law and real levers of influence for the misuse of minerals.
