Illegal gold miners extracting 13 billion soums’ worth of gold detained in Navoi (video)

A special operation in Navoi region exposed the activities of a group of individuals engaged in extracting gold-bearing ore from state reserve lands and processing it chemically. This was reported by the State Security Service.

According to the investigation, the group was led by a resident of Pakhtachi district in Samarkand region, who rented a poultry farm building in Karmana district of Navoi region and set up a clandestine workshop there.

During the operation, officers seized 200 kilograms of semi-processed gold, 200 sacks of sand and stones containing gold, 300 kilograms of chemical substances, a special laboratory device, eight gas cylinders, a special mill, and other equipment as material evidence.

According to preliminary estimates, the damage caused to state interests and the environment exceeded 7 billion soums.

A criminal case has been opened against the Samarkand resident under Article 196-2 of the Criminal Code, which covers the unlicensed extraction of minerals using artisanal gold-mining methods. Investigative actions are currently underway.

In a separate case recorded in Navbahor district, the head of a local LLC was found to have been engaged in gold mining on the basis of a forged permit, involving 19 citizens on an 8-hectare site located within the territory of the Sarmishsoy State Museum-Reserve.

During the operation, officers seized 6 kilograms of semi-processed gold, more than 430 tons of ore containing gold, 1.4 kilograms of chemical substances, four cargo trucks, four loading tractors, and various tools and equipment as material evidence.

According to preliminary calculations, mineral resources worth 6.1 billion soums were unlawfully extracted.

Laboratory examinations have now been ordered, and the amount of damage caused to the environment is being assessed.

It is worth noting that earlier, illegal gold miners were detained in Navoi region, and 17.2 kilograms of a gold and silver mixture were documented as material evidence.