Some limestone and sand-gravel deposits transferred for use by AzerGold

In order to increase efficiency in the exploitation of non-metallic mineral deposits and meet market demand, subsoil plots determined by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan have been transferred for use by “AzerGold” Closed Joint-Stock Company (hereinafter – the Company).

These include the “Garadagh I and II” limestone deposits located in the Garadagh district of Baku, the “Guzdek fold” limestone deposits located in the Garadagh district of Baku and Absheron district, the “Katekhchay I and II” sand-gravel deposits in the Zagatala district, the “Balakanchay I and II” sand-gravel deposits in the Balakan district, the “Agchay I” sand-gravel deposit in the Oghuz district, and the “Imishli” sand-gravel deposit in the Imishli district.

President Ilham Aliyev signed a relevant decree in this regard.

According to the decree, starting from August 1, 2027, the granting of subsoil use rights (excluding the oil and gas sector), state expertise of subsoil plots, submission of reports by subsoil users, obtaining opinions from relevant state bodies (institutions), as well as written consent from landowners and users, acceptance of documents for auctions (tenders and competitions), classification of lands during these procedures, change of land category or designated purpose, and other related processes will be carried out through the “Digital Ecology” information system based on a “single window” principle.

The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan will act as the coordinating state authority under the “single window” principle предусмотренный in the decree.

The Cabinet of Ministers is tasked to prepare and submit to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, within three months, proposals on strengthening liability for violations of regulatory legal acts in the field of subsoil use.

Within six months, the Cabinet of Ministers shall:

prepare and submit proposals on monitoring and evaluation of priority non-metallic mineral deposits, taking into account the proposals of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources and the Ministry of Economy;

prepare and submit proposals on the application of incentives for integrating non-metallic mineral deposits into economic circulation, depending on their distance from main consumer markets, terrain, climate conditions, and availability of infrastructure, taking into account proposals of the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources;

ensure, in agreement with the President, the transfer of land categories for subsoil plots included in the list предусмотренный by subparagraph 5.1.1 of the “Rules on measures to improve the activities of subsoil users engaged in exploitation of non-metallic mineral deposits,” approved by Presidential Decree No. 639 dated April 7, 2026, taking into account proposals of the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, and other relevant state bodies;

approve standard forms of documents and reports required from subsoil users in accordance with regulatory legal acts during acquisition of subsoil use rights, geological study, extraction of minerals, and construction and operation of underground facilities not related to extraction;

and resolve other issues arising from the decree.