The special permits of public joint-stock company Ukrnafta for the use of deposits can only be revoked in court, the press service of the State Service of Geology and Deposits of Ukraine has reported, with reference to its acting head Mykola Boyarkin.

"The special permits could be revoked only under a court ruling. Under Ukrainian law, neither [the ecology] minister, nor the State Service of Geology has these powers," the press service said.

According to the service, on June 18 the ministry considered an application of the State Fiscal Service of June 5 on the debt owed by Ukrnafta to the national budget for the use of special permits.

"The commission decided to recommend giving 30 calendar days to Ukrnafta from the moment of receiving the letter from the State Service of Geology to remove violation of the conditions for the special permits to use deposits," the press service said.

As reported, on June 18 Minister of Ecology Ihor Shevchenko said that Ukraine's Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources intends to suspend the licenses of PJSC Ukrnafta due to the company's large debts to the national budget. According to the minister, Ukrnafta will have seven days from the date of the decision to pay its debts to the budget.