Another 'Government Hour' session was held in the Chamber of the Higher Majlis of the Legislature. During this meeting, the topic of measures taken regarding environmental protection, land and water resource conservation when using the Earth's crust, as well as compliance with safety requirements in the mining industry, was discussed.
Land Use Work
On the issue included in the agenda, the Minister of Mining and Geology Bobur Islomov answered the deputies' questions. He emphasized that in recent years, systematic work has been carried out in the country on the rational use of the Earth's crust and mineral resources, preventing pollution of the environment and land during extraction, as well as on the reclamation of damaged lands and ensuring industrial safety in mining operations.
Technologies and Digitalization
In particular, special attention is paid to the introduction of low-waste technologies and digitalization in extraction processes. Three-dimensional models of ores are being created, and precise and efficient mining operations are organized through 'smart' management systems. Products and waste obtained during extraction are processed and used as building materials.
Important steps are also being taken to digitize the sector, implement artificial intelligence technologies, and combat corruption factors. The 'Geomonitoring' information system has been introduced, which catalogs data on more than two thousand mineral deposit sites.
Anti-Corruption and Reclamation
Internal supervisory structures have been created in the ministry and systemic organizations to combat corruption. Practical work is underway to prevent conflicts of interest, ensure transparency of procurement procedures, study appeals through communication channels, conduct service inspections, and implement digital control mechanisms.
According to the minister, 2085 hectares of damaged land were reclaimed in 2025. In the first half of 2026, reclamation work was carried out over an area of 340.8 hectares, and by the end of the year, it is planned to reach a figure of 1000 hectares.
Transparency and Water Resources
To ensure transparency in the process of obtaining permits and creating equal opportunities for entrepreneurs, digitization efforts are being expanded. Electronic forms for issuing permits for gold prospectors and ore prospectors have been introduced through the 'E-Auction' and 'License' information systems. The system for registering water meters has been fully implemented based on the 'single window' principle, and 2663 water meters have been registered.
Nevertheless, despite the measures taken to regulate the use of underground water resources and drilling wells, 698 cases of illegal well drilling and groundwater use were identified in 2025.
Questions from Deputies
During the discussion, deputies paid special attention to issues of ensuring environmental safety when using the Earth's crust, accelerating the reclamation of damaged lands, rational use of groundwater, preventing illegal well drilling, as well as strengthening industrial safety at mining and oil and gas industry facilities.
Deputies put forward a number of proposals concerning the acceleration of digitalization processes in the sector, reducing human error in permit issuance procedures, broader use of artificial intelligence potential, and constant identification of corruption risks and ensuring the transparency of supervisory activities.
Faction Positions
Members of the UzLipDep faction expressed interest in what additional measures are being taken to fully digitize the licensing and permitting system, ensure transparency of work processes, and completely eliminate human error in the effective use of mineral resources using modern technologies.
Members of the Milli Tiklanish DP faction asked about the measures being taken to organize mining operations in accordance with environmental requirements, particularly regarding the improvement of blasting technology and practices, as well as strengthening safety measures.
Representatives of the Adolat SDP faction raised questions about reducing the volume of ores and waste generated in the mining industry, their processing or disposal, as well as the effectiveness of responsibility measures and ensuring the rule of law in the sector.
Members of the UzKhDP faction were interested in the measures being taken to further strengthen labor protection and industrial safety in the mining industry, prevent accidents at hazardous production facilities, improve employee qualifications, and ensure their safe working conditions.
Members of the Ecological Party of Uzbekistan expressed their opinion on the need to ensure the installation of water meters on facilities for drawing underground water, strengthen groundwater monitoring in areas of declining groundwater levels, and ensure compliance with the moratorium introduced in 21 regions on well drilling and groundwater use.
Session Conclusion
The minister provided detailed explanations on all issues raised by the deputies, presenting information on the work being carried out in the sector, existing problems, and established priority tasks for their resolution. Agreement was reached on the need to ensure effective parliamentary oversight of the reforms being carried out in the field of rational use of the Earth's crust, environmental protection, preservation of land and water resources, strict compliance with safety requirements in the mining industry, as well as digitalization and prevention of corruption in the sector.
