Critical Minerals – Market Development Phase III: Implementation of new Law
Uzbekistan holds the second-largest reserves of critical raw materials (CRMs) in Central Asia, yet investment in its mining sector has remained limited due to longstanding regulatory and governance challenges. The Government has embarked on a significant modernisation of sector regulation, culminating in the adoption of a new Subsoil Law in late 2024 — a milestone in the country’s ambition to attract responsible international investment. In April 2024, the EU and Uzbekistan signed a strategic CRM partnership under the Global Gateway initiative, establishing a framework for mutually beneficial cooperation on responsible mineral supply chains. This positions Uzbekistan as an increasingly important partner in efforts to diversify and secure CRM supply for the green and digital transitions.
The Critical Minerals – Market Development project (Phase III) supports the Ministry for Mining Industry and Geology (MinGeo) of Uzbekistan in the effective implementation of the newly adopted Subsoil Law, funded by the European Union’s regional Prosperity Programme and administered by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
The assignment is structured around four components:
- Preparation of implementing regulations and a new permitting framework;
- Development of an e-Permitting system;
- Development of alliance collaboration models for engagement with international exploration companies and support in the pilot permit award process for critical mineral deposits; and
- Capacity building and training for MinGeo staff.
Key outcomes include new and updated implementing regulations aligned with EU standards and the European Battery Regulation, a functional e-Permitting framework, strengthened institutional capacity within MinGeo, and a completed pilot mineral permit tender demonstrating the new regulatory system to international investors.
The project builds on two preceding phases – both also implemented by PrC – in which a Mining Policy Concept and the new Subsoil Law were developed. Phase 3 focuses on operationalisation.
New and revised implementing regulations are prepared in English, Russian and Uzbek through iterative consultation workshops with MinGeo’s legal and technical teams. The permitting framework addresses the full permit lifecycle, with provisions for climate neutrality assessment and alignment with the European Battery Alliance.
The e-Permitting component ensures the permitting process can be administered fully online — from application submission to permit issuance — designed for integration with existing or planned government digital systems.
The project develops alliance collaboration models for MinGeo/UzTMK’s engagement with international exploration companies in early-stage critical mineral projects. Models address equity participation, supervisory and management control, capital contribution obligations, rights of first refusal, decision-making authority, and exit and transfer rights, ensuring full alignment with Uzbekistan’s strategic objectives for critical minerals. In addition, advisory support is provided during pilot tender award processes for selected critical mineral deposits.
The capacity building programme comprises 15 thematic workshops in Tashkent covering regulations, permitting, project finance, royalties, exploration, ESG and environmental health and safety, concluding with a continuing training roadmap for MinGeo.
