Geological Exploration and Mining of Solid Minerals

Geological exploration of solid minerals in the Republic of Uzbekistan is regulated by Law No. ZRU-987 of 31.10.2024 and includes a set of legal and organizational procedures aimed at identifying, evaluating, and preparing deposits for industrial development.

1. Obtaining a Permit

• A permit is issued by the Subsoil Use Center based on a tender, auction, or in cases provided by law.
• The document is issued within three business days after the results are summed up or the application is reviewed.
• Refusal to issue a permit must be justified and comply with the law.
• Data on issued permits are entered into the state subsoil fund cadastre register.

2. Validity Period

• Major types of minerals — up to 5 years, with the possibility of two extensions of 4 years each.
• Non-metallic minerals — up to 2 years, with the possibility of two extensions of 2 years each.
• Extension is carried out upon the subsoil user’s request, provided obligations are fulfilled.

3. Rights of the Subsoil User

A person holding a permit is granted exclusive rights to:

• Carry out work on the site specified in the permit.
• Build temporary industrial and social facilities on the allocated territory.
• Conduct pilot production.
• Apply for a mining permit at any time during the validity period.
• Perform accompanying works necessary for exploration.

4. Financial Obligations

• The subsoil user must bear annual minimum expenses for geological exploration in an amount calculated based on the basic calculated value.
• For an incomplete year — the calculation is proportional to the number of months.
• If obligations are not fully met, the subsoil user must make up the expenses within two months after the reporting year.

5. State Expertise

• The subsoil user has the right to apply for reserves approval to the Ministry of Mining Industry and Geology.
• The examination is carried out by the State Commission for Mineral Reserves, and territorial commissions may be established if necessary.
• The decision on the industrial significance of reserves serves as the basis for including them in the state balance sheet.

Mining of Solid Minerals

Mining of solid minerals in Uzbekistan is a set of operations for extracting mineral raw materials from the subsoil to the surface, including preparatory, stripping, and mining processes. It is regulated by the above-mentioned Law No. ZRU-987, as well as by by-laws that define requirements for industrial safety, environmental protection, and rational subsoil use.

Conditions for Obtaining the Right to Mine

The right to mine solid minerals is granted only if a permit is obtained from the authorized body — the Subsoil Use Center. A permit can be obtained:

• after completing geological exploration of the site and registering the reserves in the state balance sheet;
• if there is an approved field development project;
• in compliance with environmental standards and industrial safety requirements.

Obligations of the Subsoil User

The subsoil user is obliged to:

• strictly comply with the permit conditions;
• conduct mining operations according to the approved project;
• document all mining activities in accordance with the law;
• notify the Subsoil Use Center within 10 days upon discovering new deposits within the site and adjust the development project;
• coordinate the project with the Ministry of Water Management if mining takes place within water protection zones.

Minimum Annual Expenses

The law provides for annual minimum expenses for the extraction of solid minerals, which are established for each type of mineral by separate legislative acts. For the first or last partial year of mining, the amount is calculated proportionally to the number of full months of operation.

Reporting

The mining reporting system includes:

• Annual report — submitted by March 31 of the following year (or within two months for a partial period);
• Final report — submitted within 3 months after the expiration of the permit, including a summary of all annual reports, data on the quantity and quality of extracted raw materials, waste, costs, personnel, remaining reserves, and occupational safety issues.

Environmental and Social Requirements

During mining of solid minerals, it is mandatory to:

• comply with environmental regulations and carry out land reclamation measures;
• protect workers’ health and follow safety standards;
• ensure rational use of subsoil and prevent its depletion.

Liability for Violations

Violation of mining procedures or permit conditions may result in:

• suspension or revocation of the permit;
• fines and compensation for environmental damage;
• administrative and criminal liability in cases established by law.

 

Step-by-Step Scheme of the Solid Minerals Mining Process

Stage	Action	Responsible Body/Person	Deadlines	Key Conditions
1. Registration of reserves	Approval of mineral reserves	State Commission for Reserves	—	Basis for issuance of mining permit
2. Development project	Preparation and approval of the field development project	Subsoil user → authorized bodies	Before submitting the application	Environmental and industrial safety requirements must be considered
3. Obtaining a permit	Submission of application, review, and issuance of permit	Subsoil Use Center	Within statutory deadlines	Project decision must be approved
4. Start of mining works	Conducting preparatory, stripping, and mining operations	Subsoil user	Within permit validity period	Strictly according to the project and permit conditions
5. Minimum annual expenses	Financing of mining operations	Subsoil user	Annually	Amount determined by legal acts; proportional calculation for partial year
6. Current reporting	Submission of annual mining report	Subsoil user → authorized bodies	By March 31 of the following year	For partial period — within 2 months
7. Final report	Submission of summary report for entire permit term	Subsoil user → authorized bodies	Within 3 months after permit expiration	Includes data on volume, quality, waste, costs, personnel, remaining reserves
8. Completion and reclamation	Land reclamation and dismantling of facilities	Subsoil user	After completion of mining	Mandatory for all disturbed areas
9. Control and liability	Monitoring compliance with mining conditions	Authorized bodies	During the entire mining period	Violations entail fines, suspension, or revocation of permit