In order to increase efficiency in the field of exploitation of non-metallic mineral deposits and to meet market demand, the “Garadagh I and II” limestone deposits located in the Garadagh district of Baku, the “Guzdak muldasi” limestone deposits located in the territories of the Garadagh district of Baku and the Absheron district, the “Katexchay I and II” sand-gravel deposits located in the Zaqatala district, the “Balakanchay I and II” sand-gravel deposits located in the Balakan district, the “Agchay I” sand-gravel deposits located in the Oguz district, and the “Imishli” sand-gravel deposits located in the Imishli district, within the subsoil areas determined by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan, have been transferred to the use of “AzerGold” Closed Joint-Stock Company (hereinafter – the Company).
elchi reports that President Ilham Aliyev has signed a relevant decree in this regard.
According to the decree, it is determined that from August 1, 2027, the granting of the right to use the subsoil (excluding activities in the oil and gas sector), conducting state expertise of subsoil areas, submission of reports by subsoil users, obtaining opinions from relevant state bodies (institutions) on the provision of subsoil for use, as well as written consents of land owners and users, acceptance of documents for auctions (tenders and competitions) and their conduct, categorization of lands, changing their category or intended purpose, and other related processes will be carried out through the “Digital Ecology” information system based on the “single window” principle.
The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan exercises the powers of the coordinating state body under the “single window” principle provided for in the decree.
The Cabinet of Ministers must prepare and submit to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan proposals regarding the strengthening of liability for violation of the requirements of normative legal acts in the field of subsoil use within three months;
within six months:
Taking into account the proposals of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and the sub-clause 4.1.2 of this Decree, prepare and submit to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan proposals regarding the monitoring and assessment of priority non-metallic mineral deposits;
Taking into account the proposals of the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan, prepare and submit to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan proposals on the application of incentives for the economic circulation of non-metallic mineral deposits, depending on their distance from the main consumer market, the terrain of the area, climatic conditions, and the availability of infrastructure;
Taking into account the proposals of the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and relevant state bodies (institutions) whose interests are affected based on state land cadastre data, ensure the transfer of the category of lands where the subsoil areas are located—which are in the use of subsoil users to be included in the list provided for in sub-clause 5.1.1 of the “Rules on measures for the rehabilitation of the activities of subsoil users engaged in the exploitation of non-metallic mineral deposits” approved by Decree No. 639 of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated April 7, 2026, and which were transferred to the use of the Company by Part 1 of this Decree—to the category of industrial, transport, communication, defense, and other non-purpose lands, by coordinating with the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan;
Taking into account the proposals of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan, approve the exemplary forms of documents and reports required to be submitted by subsoil users during the acquisition of the right to use the subsoil, geological study of the subsoil, extraction of minerals, and construction and operation of underground structures not related to the extraction of minerals;
Resolve other issues arising from the decree.