Authorities in Uzbekistan's Samarkand region have detained a group of citizens involved in the illegal mining of gold from ore without a proper license. According to the Department under the General Prosecutor's Office, the individuals operated under a premeditated conspiracy, highlighting the organized nature of this illicit activity.

Investigative findings reveal that residents of the region organized unauthorized mining operations in the Pakhtachi district. They extracted approximately five tons of ore, believed to contain gold, without any permits or regulatory oversight, directly violating national laws on mineral resource extraction.

The mined raw materials were processed on-site using homemade equipment, effectively creating a makeshift mini-factory. Such methods bypass legal controls and pose significant environmental risks due to the lack of proper technology and safety measures, contributing to ecological degradation.

Law enforcement agencies have initiated a criminal case related to the illegal extraction of mineral resources. Current investigative efforts are focused on identifying all participants in the scheme and assessing the potential damage caused to state interests and the environment.

Previously, similar underground gold mining operations in the Navoi region resulted in damages exceeding 13 billion Uzbek soums to the state and ecology. This new incident underscores ongoing challenges in curbing illegal mining activities in Uzbekistan, pointing to systemic issues in resource management and enforcement.

Source: podrobno.uz