Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) —  Uzbekistan has introduced criminal liability for illegal mining activities. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a law amending several codes in the country.

The revised Criminal Code now includes penalties for repeated illegal mining activities after an administrative fine has been imposed for similar offenses, as well as for conducting mining operations without the necessary permits.

Additionally, changes have been made to the Administrative Offenses Code, granting law enforcement agencies the authority to compile administrative protocols against individuals engaged in illegal land seizures, construction on unlawfully occupied land, and violations of land resource allocation procedures.

The law takes effect upon its official publication.