National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan

The investigation is being carried out in two directions: first, to identify the source of the white smoke observed in Navoi, as instructed by the Minister of Ecology  and second, to improve the broader environmental situation related to industrial emissions. In cases of legal violations, strict measures are being applied.

On July 19, laboratory samples and other data were collected in Navoi to investigate the white smoke. Air quality analysis at 11 monitoring points using a mobile laboratory revealed that sulfur dioxide (SO₂) exceeded the permissible limit by 1.86 times, and ammonia (NH₃) by 1.43 times.

On the same day at 05:30, a video recording captured a short-term, concentrated emission near the territory of several industrial facilities: "Sogda Kimyo Zavod" LLC, "Ferrosplav" LLC and "Zarafshon Industrial Technology" LLC, located at the site of the former “Elektrokimyo” plant.

The inspections of these enterprises revealed the following:

1)  "Sogda Kimyo Zavod" LLC was operating without undergoing the required state environmental review. An unauthorized waste dump was discovered on site, and construction waste was being removed and disposed of in violation of regulations. Additionally, the company was storing hazardous substances in an open reservoir, discharging acidic wastewater onto open land, and releasing uncontrolled emissions into the atmosphere. The environmental damage caused was assessed at 7.382 billion sums.

2) "Ferrosplav" LLC was also found to be operating without a state environmental approval. During the smelting process, pollutants were released into the air and industrial waste was being stored in a disorganized and unregulated manner.

3) "Zarafshon Industrial Technology" LLC failed to comply with the requirements outlined in its environmental approval. The concentrations of harmful substances were found to exceed permissible limits multiple times: hydrogen sulfide — 25 times, nitrogen oxide — 12 times, ammonia — 7 times, sulfur dioxide — 2.6 times and again hydrogen sulfide — 40 times. Additionally, safety requirements for storing sulfur were not being observed.

Due to gross violations of environmental regulations, the Ministry of Ecology decided to temporarily suspend the operations of these enterprises. They have been given 10 days to eliminate the violations and bring their activities into compliance with environmental standards. If they fail to comply, lawsuits will be filed to request a full cessation of operations.

As part of the second phase of the environmental review in Navoi, three working groups have been established to inspect 168 industrial enterprises in the city and surrounding areas.

To date, 42 enterprises have been inspected. For those found in violation of environmental laws, case files have been prepared for court submission with the aim of imposing fines and penalties.

 

In parallel, it was found that 22 enterprises — including “Qurilish Mahsulotlari” (brick production), “Navoiy Global Trans Servis” (granite), “Ittifoq” (brick production), “Qizilqum Temir Beton” (concrete slabs), “Qizilqum Shifer” (roofing materials), “Stroykom-77” (pigment production), “Karmana Kvars” (lime production), “Navoiy Util Med” (medical waste incineration), “Navoiy Asir Invest” (chemical storage), “BARNO” (construction waste site), “Navoiy Sheben Xom-Ashyo” (lime and stone-crushing facilities), “Navoiy Asir Invest Savdo” (acetic acid storage), “Montaj Servis Malikrabot” (metalworking), “Karmanasut” (dairy processing), “Alibobo-2020” (metal smelting), “Fosxim Agro” (phosphate fertilizer production), “Jahon Biznes Baraka Servis” (lime production), “Rubin-Karmana” (asphalt plant), “Sogda Kimyo Zavod” (chemical fertilizers), “Ferrosplav” (metal smelting) and “Parda Bobo Ustaxonasi” (concrete blocks) — had not passed state environmental review.

Serious violations were recorded regarding the protection of air, soil, and water resources, along with evidence of illegal waste dumping. As a result, the activities of these enterprises were also temporarily suspended, with a 10-day deadline to address the violations.

For 19 enterprises that failed to correct their violations within the required timeframe, lawsuits have been filed seeking full suspension of their operations.

Additionally, the inspection of "Navoiyazot" revealed that construction waste was being stored on unauthorized sites, and soot incineration was causing air pollution.

An analysis conducted on July 29 in the urea production facility found that ammonia levels exceeded permissible limits by 1.08 times. Overnight monitoring on July 29–30 recorded further violations:

At 23:43 on the eastern perimeter of the facility, ammonia (NH₃) levels were 1.5 times, and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) levels 36 times above the limit.

At 00:16 on the western side, ammonia exceeded the limit by 6.6 times, hydrogen sulfide by 1.4 times, and sulfur dioxide (SO₂) by 1.2 times.

The enterprise was fined and ordered to pay compensation, with a 10-day deadline to remedy the violations.

On July 24, during a surprise night inspection in the mountainous area of Karmana District bordering Navoi city, 24 individuals were found illegally producing lime without permits and in gross violation of environmental norms. Their activities caused air pollution with black smoke and dust. All 24 violators were fined a total of 18 million sums and the unauthorized installations were dismantled.

Around-the-clock inspections continue in Navoi targeting enterprises operating without environmental permits or in violation of environmental regulations. Based on the findings, a program of environmental measures will be developed for each enterprise to reduce air pollution. This program will be submitted for approval to the Navoi Regional People’s Deputies Council.

The Ministry of Ecology also proposes introducing a mechanism requiring industrial enterprise managers to report quarterly to the public on the environmental measures they have implemented.