Procedure for Issuing Permits for the Right to Use Subsoil Plots Containing Non-Metallic Minerals

The issuance of permits for the use of subsoil plots with non-metallic minerals in the Republic of Uzbekistan is regulated by Resolution No. 133 of the Cabinet of Ministers dated March 25, 2022, and a special Regulation.
Non-metallic minerals are understood as non-metallic raw materials used in industry (cement, glass, chemical, ceramics production, construction materials, etc.), such as marble, granite, gypsum, clay, sand, crushed stone, etc.

Permits are issued for the following types of activities:

• Geological exploration
• Extraction
• Use of man-made mineral formations

Authorities Responsible for Issuing Permits

The competent authority for issuing permits is the State Institution "Center for Subsoil Use" under the Ministry of Mining and Geology.

Other agencies involved in specific procedures include:

• The Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change (environmental review)
• The Inspectorate for Supervision of Mining, Geological, and Industrial Safety (control of technical projects and compliance with safety regulations)

Permit Acquisition Procedure

Permits may be issued through:

• Electronic auctions on the “E-auksion” platform — the main method of allocating rights
• First-come, first-served principle — for special investment projects or other cases provided by the Regulation
• Without auction — for subsoil users who financed geological exploration of a plot and received a priority right for extraction

Stages of the Auction Procedure

1. Formation of the List of Plots

The Center for Subsoil Use annually approves a list of plots, agreed with the Ministry of Ecology, indicating the starting price:

• Geological exploration — 36 basic calculation value (BCV)
• Extraction — 72 BCV

2. Conducting the Auction

• Information is published on “E-auksion” and official websites.
• The winner receives a protocol, which serves as the basis for issuing the permit.

3. Permit Registration

Within 6 months, the winner must submit:

• Technical and economic calculations or justifications
• Positive conclusion of the state environmental review
• Payment of the state service fee (4 BCV)

4. Signing of Terms of Use

• The user electronically signs the terms of use, which form an annex to the permit and include lease terms for the plot.

 

Procedure Without Auction ("First-Come, First-Served")

Applied in the following cases:

• For plots included in investment agreements
• For subsoil users who financed geological exploration
• By order of the President, the Cabinet of Ministers, or by decision of the Ministry of Geology jointly with local authorities

Procedure:

• Submission of an application via the “License” system or EPIGU
• Payment of the fee (4 BCV)
• Review and issuance of the permit within established timeframes

Validity Period of Permits

• Geological exploration — up to 5 years
• Extraction and use of man-made formations:
  • Initial permit — 5 years
  • After feasibility study — for a term defined by the project, but not more than 25 years

Extensions are possible subject to compliance with permit conditions.

Mandatory Conditions for Subsoil Users

• Compliance with environmental and industrial safety requirements
• Conducting surveying works and submitting reports
• Land reclamation
• Fulfillment of minimum investment and work volumes
• Availability of qualified specialists and equipment
• Social obligations (job creation, personnel training)

Financial Obligations

• Annual license fee:
  • 15% of BCV per hectare for geological exploration
  • 15% of BCV per hectare for extraction of non-metallic minerals
• Payment of land tax and other mandatory payments established by law
• Payment of costs for land withdrawal for subsoil use plots and compensation for damage

Grounds for Refusal, Suspension, or Revocation

• Violation of permit conditions
• Failure to submit documents and reports on time
• Non-payment of mandatory payments
• Refusal to sign the terms of use
• Termination of activity or voluntary waiver by the user

 

The procedure for obtaining the right to use subsoil plots with non-metallic minerals in Uzbekistan has been made as digitalized, transparent, and competitive as possible.

The main mechanism is electronic auctions, which eliminate corruption risks and ensure efficient use of natural resources.

At the same time, preferential conditions are provided for investors who have already invested in geological exploration, as well as for strategic projects important to the national economy.

 

Requirements and Conditions for Obtaining the Right to Use Subsoil Plots with Non-Metallic Minerals

Block	Geological Exploration	Extraction	Use of Man-Made Mineral Formations
Legal Status of Applicant	Legal entity registered in the Republic of Uzbekistan	Legal entity registered in the Republic of Uzbekistan	Legal entity registered in the Republic of Uzbekistan
Documents for Submission	- Application via “License”/EPIGU; - EDS; - Consolidated technical and economic calculations; - Positive conclusion of state environmental review (if required)	- Application via “License”/EPIGU; - EDS; - Feasibility study of extraction; - Positive conclusion of state environmental review; - Documents confirming staff qualifications and availability of equipment	- Application via “License”/EPIGU; - EDS; - Feasibility study of processing; - Positive conclusion of state environmental review; - Documents confirming staff qualifications and availability of equipment
Funding Requirements	Availability of funds for annual license fee and research activities	Availability of funds for fulfilling minimum investment commitments and annual payments	Availability of funds for implementing processing project and annual payments
Annual License Fee	15% of BCV per hectare	15% of BCV per hectare	15% of BCV per hectare
Validity Period	Up to 5 years	Initially — 5 years; after feasibility study — up to 25 years	Initially — 5 years; after feasibility study — up to 25 years
Environmental Requirements	- Land reclamation; - Environmental review; - Coordination with Ministry of Ecology	- Land reclamation; - Environmental review; - Coordination with Ministry of Ecology	- Environmental review; - Safe processing and waste storage
Technical Conditions	- Preparation of consolidated TER; - Submission of materials to the State Geology Fund	- Development of feasibility study; - Extraction and development projects; - Surveying works	- Development of feasibility study; - Processing and development projects
Investment Obligations	—	Fulfillment of minimum investments within 2 years after feasibility study	Fulfillment of minimum investments under the project
Reporting	- Research results reports; - Transfer of data to State Fund	- Quarterly and annual production reports; - Surveying reports	- Reporting on processed volumes
Social Obligations	—	Job creation for local residents; personnel training	Job creation; personnel training
Grounds for Termination of Right	Non-compliance with permit conditions; non-payment of fees; failure to submit reports	Non-compliance with conditions; non-payment of fees; violation of environmental and technical standards	Violation of processing conditions; non-payment of fees; violation of environmental requirements