Environmental Protection in Subsoil Use in Uzbekistan

Subsoil use is one of the most resource-intensive activities, capable of exerting a significant impact on the environment. Therefore, the legislation of Uzbekistan establishes a clear system of measures aimed at preventing negative environmental consequences, conserving natural resources, and ensuring environmental safety in the development of mineral deposits.

Environmental protection issues are regulated by the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On Subsoil” (Chapter 14), the Law “On Environmental Expertise,” as well as other sectoral regulations.

General Principles of Environmental Safety

The law obliges all subsoil users to:

• Comply with environmental legislation at all stages — from planning and design to decommissioning of facilities;
• Apply methods that minimize impacts on subsoil, water, soil, atmosphere, and biodiversity;
• Ensure sustainable use of mineral resources, taking into account the interests of future generations.

Environmental safety is achieved through the establishment of maximum permissible emissions and waste standards, as well as restrictions or prohibitions on certain types of activities that pose a threat to the environment.

Environmental Expertise

Before starting any activity on a subsoil site, a state environmental expertise (SEE) is mandatory. Its goal is to determine whether the implementation of the project is environmentally permissible.

The expertise includes:

• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA);
• Verification of project compliance with standards for maximum permissible emissions (MPE) and maximum permissible discharges (MPD);
• Assessment of land reclamation measures and waste disposal plans.

Without a positive SEE conclusion, subsoil use is prohibited.

Prohibition of Environmental Damage

A subsoil user is obliged to:

• Prevent pollution, depletion, and destruction of subsoil resources;
• Avoid actions that, intentionally or negligently, may cause serious or material harm to the environment;
• Use the materials, equipment, and facilities provided at the site strictly for their intended purpose.

State Environmental Control Authorities

A key role in environmental protection during subsoil use is played by the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan, which:

• Conducts state environmental expertise of projects;
• Issues, suspends, and revokes permits for underground storage;
• Develops regulatory and legal acts in the field of environmental protection;
• Exercises environmental control and suspends operations in case of violations of environmental requirements.

Measures for Environmental Protection

To minimize the impact on nature, legislation provides for:

• Use of environmentally safe technologies for the extraction and processing of mineral resources;
• Mandatory land reclamation after completion of works;
• Rational use of water resources and prevention of their pollution;
• Recycling and safe storage of mining waste;
• Continuous monitoring of the state of the environment in the area of operations.

Liability for Violations

For non-compliance with environmental requirements during subsoil use, the following measures are provided:

• Administrative fines;
• Suspension or termination of the right to use the subsoil site;
• Obligation to compensate for environmental damage caused;
• In especially serious cases — criminal liability.

The environmental protection system in subsoil use in Uzbekistan is aimed at preventive control, reducing negative impacts, and restoring disturbed natural sites. It combines mandatory environmental expertise, impact standards, continuous monitoring, and strict liability measures.

Thus, a subsoil user must treat environmental protection measures not as a formality but as an integral part of their activity, ensuring a balance between economic benefit and environmental sustainability.

 

Environmental Duties of Subsoil Users and Functions of State Control Authorities

Area	Duties of Subsoil Users	Functions and Powers of Control Authorities
Planning and Preparation of Works	- Develop a project in compliance with environmental norms and standards. - Undergo state environmental expertise (SEE) before starting work. - Provide for measures to prevent pollution and land degradation.	- Conduct SEE of projects. - Assess the environmental acceptability of planned works. - Issue conclusions and permits to commence activities.
Conduct of Works on the Subsoil Site	- Comply with established MPE and MPD standards. - Use equipment and materials strictly for their intended purpose. - Apply environmentally safe extraction and processing technologies. - Protect soil, water, and air from pollution.	- Carry out regular state environmental control. - Verify compliance of technologies with established standards. - Conduct inspections and monitor environmental conditions.
Waste Management	- Dispose of and store waste in accordance with regulations. - Prevent harmful substances from entering soil, water, and air. - Keep records of generated waste.	- Control waste management. - Suspend operations in case of violations. - Issue orders to eliminate violations.
Completion of Works and Reclamation	- Carry out land reclamation. - Restore disturbed ecosystems. - Eliminate pollution sources.	- Accept reclamation reports. - Check the quality of restoration works. - In case of violations, recover compensation for damages.
Liability	- Compensate for harm caused to nature. - Comply with orders of supervisory authorities. - Eliminate identified violations within the established timeframe.	- Hold violators administratively and criminally liable. - Suspend or terminate subsoil use rights. - Impose fines and recover compensation.