Law enforcement agencies arrested 37 individuals in the Bukhara province on suspicion of illegal gold mining, the Ministry of Mining and Geology said.
During checks at the premises of Oltin Kon, located in Kuldzhuktau mountain range (Shafirkon district, Bukhara province) and Taushan (Kanimekh district, Navoi province), the Mining and Geology Oversight Inspectorate uncovered cases of unauthorized and illegal gold mining organized by third parties without the company's knowledge.
The materials were transferred to law enforcement agencies, who conducted investigative operations.
During the arrest of illegal gold miners in the Kuldzhuktau mountain range, three Ford vehicles, eight drills, six compressors, approximately 400 bags of gold-containing ore, and other homemade equipment were seized as evidence. Reportedly, the damage to the state from the illegal activity was valued at over 20 billion soums.
A criminal case has been opened under Artisanal mining without a permit charge of the Criminal Code, with investigation ongoing.
Amendments proposing criminal charges against artisanal miners for illegal mineral extraction in the country took effect in October 2024. This crime carries a penalty of up to eight years in prison.
In June 2021, four men died and three others were injured by exhaust fumes from a diesel generator while illegally mining gold in a mine in Navoi province.
