Uzbekistan has overhauled its regulatory framework for allocating subsoil exploration and mining rights via electronic online auctions. Under a new Cabinet of Ministers resolution, key changes have been implemented regarding the evaluation of mineral resource deposits, permit issuance procedures, and the recalibration of baseline auction prices.
The government resolution establishes a formal mechanism to re-verify starting prices before subsoil plots are listed for online bidding. Furthermore, for permits issued on a "first-come, first-served" basis, applicants will now be required to pay a fee equivalent to the standard auction starting price.
The resolution also significantly revises how baseline bidding prices are calculated for artisanal gold mining plots. Specifically, the base rate per hectare has been hiked from 35 to 100 times the base reference value (BRV).
In addition, the Ministry of Mining Industry and Geology has been tasked with finalizing a comprehensive pricing methodology for mining plots by October 1, 2026. The ministry must also upload detailed data on active mines and prospective fields into the "Geomonitoring" information system by March 1, 2027. These new regulations will officially take effect three months after their formal publication.
Stay up to date with all the latest news:
