Re-organizing useful mineral utilization for a better management of useful mineral deposits and environmental protection is discussed with an emphasis on mining waste utilization. Comparative analysis was attempted to show the urgent need to re-assess natural resources in spoil heaps and waste with view to solving environmental problems and speeding up economic growth by boosting high-tech industries. Current mining waste utilization in the Karelian-Kola Region is described. Shungite deposits in Zaonezhsky Peninsula, Russian Karelia, are discussed to assess progress and problems in mining waste utilization. Proposals for making-up an innovation-oriented production optimization programme
at each mining company were made. The establishing of the Interdepartmental Regional Committee under the Barents-Euroarctic Council (BEAC) was proposed to monitor and support innovative methods and advancements for a better management of mineral resources in Russia and in the Karelian-Kola Region.