Illegal mining in Uzbekistan now punishable by up to three years imprisonment

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has signed a new law introducing criminal penalties for unauthorized mining activities, further strengthening the regulatory framework for mineral resource extraction. The amendments, which add Article 196-1 to the Criminal Code, establish criminal responsibility for repeat offenses involving the illegal extraction of minerals and artisanal mining without proper permits.

Photo: Sputnik

Under the new regulations, individuals found guilty of repeated unauthorized mining face penalties ranging from a fine of 100 to 300 base calculation units, mandatory community service of up to 60 hours, corrective labor for up to one year, restricted freedom for up to one year, or imprisonment for up to three years.

Additionally, Article 196-2 has been introduced to address unlicensed mining by gold prospectors, excluding cases involving underground water and mineral extraction from riverbeds and valleys. Penalties for this offense align with those stipulated in Article 196-1, offering a robust deterrent against unauthorized mining practices.

Further amendments to the Administrative Code grant law enforcement authorities the power to file administrative protocols against individuals engaged in illegal land occupation. These officials are also authorized to issue administrative protocols for construction activities on illegally occupied land and for violations in land allocation procedures.

These legislative changes mark Uzbekistan's commitment to regulating natural resource management more effectively, supporting sustainable practices, and preventing illegal land and mining activities.

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