The possibility of integrating sustainability into legal framework for use of oil shale reserves

Abstract

The Estonia oil shale deposit is not only of national but also of regional importance. The paper shows the urgent need for a long-term general strategy of sparing and sustainable extraction and protection of oil shale reserves which is elaborated by specialists and accepted at governmental level. Regulating the land use within the mineral deposit guarantees the most complete use of oil shale reserves and flexibility to avoid/reduce/mitigate impact of mining. © 2006 Estonian Academy Publishers.