Siberian State Industrial University, Novokuznetsk, Russia:

O. P. Chernikova, Associate Professor, Candidate of Economic Sciences, chernikovaop@yandex.ru
P. P. Baranov, Professor, Doctor of Economic Sciences

Currently the largest coal mining companies in the world consider the key focus area as handling environmental problems, which is related with the severization on international ecological standards and is included in planning, management and integrated reporting. This article reviews the ecological standards and documents which are in force in the environmental protection sector in Russia and make a framework for the business activity of mines. The major legal abuses by mining companies, which cause environmental problems, are identified. Essentiality of ecological reporting in compliance with the international standards is proved. A package of measures is proposed towards stimulation of coal mine management to demonstrate sustainable development providing for sound utilization of mineral reserves and protection of environment. This package includes informing the world business community on the draft concept of public nonfinancial reporting in Russian Federation and discussion of the draft concept provisions at international forums and events; enactment of Ecological Audit and Ecological Auditing; development of methods of ecological report generation; preparation of professional and education standards and specialists training programs in the sphere of ecological reporting and auditing; entering the ecology subject in the list of the top-priority national R&D projects, and development of national ecological programs; reforming the system of official controlling bodies towards enhancing liabilities for ecological damages on the part of the government authorities and mine management.

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