One of the trends in sustainable economic development is the transition to circular business models, which aim to optimize goods and material flows by taking into account their cyclical nature at all production stages. Adapting circular business models to mining and mineral processing operations can serve as an impetus for mining companies to upgrade and move to a new level of technological sophistication. This article attempts to develop a conceptual framework for circular business models factoring in the nature of production chains in coal mining, power generation, and metal production to reduce production costs, expand the product range, improve sustainable development indicators, and deliver growth in company value. This article is based on desk studies that were aimed at analyzing the efficiency of circular models, organizing data on experience in rational resource use in the mining industry, and transforming basic circular models into adapted ones for the environment in which coal companies operate. This study developed a conceptual framework of options for the implementation and evaluation of circular business models using an interdisciplinary approach and taking into account the specific features of coal companies and the principle of a resource being valuable throughout its whole life cycle. The proposed conceptual framework of circular business models can be used by Russian coal companies to design corporate strategies and long-term development plans.

The significant resource potential of the Arctic has attracted the attention of its adjacent countries and extra-regional states. The mineral and raw material base of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation (AZRF) comprises a wide range of minerals. However, due to its hydrocarbon reserves, the Arctic is considered to be the most important geopolitical and geo-economic macro-region for Russia. A significant portion of the Arctic hydrocarbons (about 19%) is concentrated in the territory of Russia’s shelf. The extraction of Arctic marine oil and gas resources and ensuring the sustainability of the Russian energy complex depend significantly on the level of Arctic development. Thus, the pace and quality of the development of AZRF are strategically important to ensure the national interests of the country. It has been proven that the implementation of the state program for AZRF development and strategic plans of the largest companies operating in the region consolidate the raw material nature of AZRF development. Rent becomes the main form of income. This article addresses the main directions of the region’s development and the factors that prevent a high level of industrialization, which increase attention to the withdrawal and redistribution of rental income. The article considers the Russian and foreign experiences of withdrawal and redistribution of oil and gas rental income, and analyzes the level of socio-economic development of AZRF. The authors suggest a methodology for assessing the impact of a country’s area and population size on the ability to achieve a high income due to hydrocarbons. The authors also explain the principles of rental income redistribution in the region as a basis for improving the level of AZRF’s socio-economic development and as a condition for transition from the “colonial model” of development to the “sustainable development” model. The study results can be used to elaborate a mechanism for rental income redistribution in AZRF and state programs for the region’s development.

The article dwells upon the main economic issues and development of subsurface resource management in the national economy. The question of servitization of subsurface resource management is discussed for the first time. The article focuses on the following issues: the mine rent, the necessity to restructure property in subsurface resource management considering corporate relations; managing the system for economic interests of subsurface resource users, the state, and society; optimizing the payment and taxation systems for use of subsurface resources. Keywords: economy servitization, use of subsurface resources, system of payments for natural resources JEL Classifications: H30, L89, O13 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32479/ijeep.8303

The Arctic’s specific conditions require increased attention to natural and human capital. Therefore, implementing the principles of the sustainable development concept, balancing economic, social, and environmental goals is of paramount importance. Mining is at the heart of the strategy for the socio-economic development of Russia’s Arctic territories. This study’s objective is topical: to justify measures lifting the restrictions on sustainable development of AZRF (the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation) mining regions. The authors propose a method to identify AZRF regions where mining determines the socio-economic development level (Komi Republic, Nenets Autonomous District, Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District, Yakutia, and Chukotka Autonomous District). The multi-factor regression analysis conducted confirms the hypothesis that living standards and achievement of social standards in the AZRF mining regions depend on the income and fiscal capacity levels, which makes the state more responsible for the region’s development. The authors prove the expediency of reconsidering the proportions of rental income redistributed between the budgets of the AZRF mining regions and the federal budget in favor of the former, until migration and natural population growth become positive and reach the target indicators of strategies of socio-economic development. The study’s results can be used to justify the state policy while elaborating strategies for AZRF development.

The article analyzes the role of state regulation in harmonization of the socio-economic interest system in the Arctic Zone of Russian Federation (AZRF) in the current institutional environment. Research and development of new institutions, forms of economic behavior in AZRF are especially topical in the new economic reality. They play an important role in ensuring energy and national security, which leads to increased attention to the pace and quality of the region development. The interdisciplinary management approach is required for AZRF development, because it covers social, economic, and environmental factors. The study has proven that the regional industry and transport development leads to a complex system of contradictory socio-economic interests: business, state and local population, including indigenous peoples. AZRF development effects are ranked by the degree of economic relation participants’ interests. The socio- economic interest system is analyzed. According to the authors, the general trend of AZRF development in the near future will greatly depend on accountability that the state assumes for the results of the region development, which requires tightening the institutional conditions of economic management and developing a new economic model. The study results can be used to justify the public policy in the elaboration of strategies for AZRF development.