New fees are being established for subsoil use projects
In Uzbekistan, there are plans to update the procedure for approving and conducting expert evaluations of subsoil use projects of private business entities. According to the draft, applications related to geological exploration, mine development, and feasibility studies will be accepted through the Single Interactive State Services Portal, and fees for the services will be charged based on the project value.
New fees are being introduced for subsoil use projects
In Uzbekistan, a draft resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers has been prepared to improve the procedure for approving projects of private entrepreneurship entities in the field of subsoil use.
The document proposes to approve the regulation "On the procedure for approving project documentation on subsoil use."
The new procedure covers the approval of projects for geological study of subsoil and mine development, as well as the review and examination of feasibility studies.
According to the project, these tasks will be performed by the state institution "Center for Subsoil Use" under the Ministry of Mining and Geology. The Inspectorate for Control of Mining and Geology will provide conclusions on the specified matters.
It is envisaged that applications for the approval or examination of geological study and mine development projects, as well as feasibility studies, will be submitted through the Single Interactive State Services Portal - SISSP.
The services provided by the Center will be carried out on a contractual basis. The service fee under the contract is payable 100% in advance.
At the same time, a separate fee in the amount of 50 percent of the BCA (basic calculating amount) is also envisaged for submitting an application.
The project stipulates that payments for services will vary depending on the type of mineral and the direction of the project.
In particular, for the approval of a geological study project on non-metallic minerals, a payment in the amount of 0.06 percent of the project's investment value is established. However, it must not be less than 20 times and not more than 50 times the BCA.
A rate of 0.06 percent is also proposed for geological study projects of main types of minerals and hydrocarbons, where the minimum payment will be 70 times the BCA, and the maximum payment will be 200 times the BCA.
For the approval of a mine development project and the examination of the feasibility study on non-metallic minerals, 0.03 percent of the project value may be charged. This amount is set to be not less than 70 times and not more than 150 times the BCA.
For the main types of minerals and hydrocarbons, the rate is 0.03 percent, and the payment can range from 100 to 1,000 times the BCA.