Inspection for control in the field of mining industry and geology under the Ministry of Mining Industry and Geology of the Republic of Uzbekistan

The first instance was recorded in the Karmana district. A group led by Citizen S., born in 1988 and residing in the Pakhtachi district of the Samarkand region, rented a building designated for poultry farming. Under this guise, they established a secret laboratory and workshop for the chemical processing of gold-bearing ore. During the operation, officials seized 200 kg of semi-finished gold, 200 bags of gold-bearing sand and stones, 300 kg of chemical agents, and specialized technical equipment, including a mill and laboratory instruments.

Preliminary estimates indicate that the damage caused to state interests and the local ecology exceeds 7 billion UZS. Criminal proceedings have been initiated against Citizen S. under Article 196² of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan, which addresses the illegal extraction and use of mineral resources.

A separate violation was discovered in the Navbahor district, where J., the head of a local limited liability company, used forged permits to illegally enter the "Sarmishsoy" State Museum-Reserve. Occupying an area of 8 hectares, he organized 19 citizens to engage in unauthorized gold mining. It was determined that minerals worth 6.1 billion UZS were looted, causing significant damage to the natural and cultural heritage of the reserve.

The operation resulted in the seizure of 6 kg of semi-finished gold, over 430 tons of ore, chemical substances, and 8 units of heavy machinery, including trucks and tractors. Experts are currently conducting laboratory analyses to determine the final extent of the environmental impact. Such findings will serve as the basis for strict legal action and the prosecution of those responsible.

The consistency of these law enforcement operations demonstrates a heightened commitment to protecting the nation's mineral resource base and ensuring the rational use of the subsoil. Illegal gold mining causes more than just economic loss; it leads to the destruction of soil layers and the degradation of ecosystems through toxic chemical exposure. The effective functioning of these oversight mechanisms is vital for safeguarding state property and upholding the rule of law.