Questions and answers

Answers to the questions most often asked of the ministry.

Mining

Can I collect stones or ore by hand and sell them?

Mineral specimens for a collection, yes. Antimony ore may be sold only from a licensed mine; from 1 January 2027 no licensed processor may buy it otherwise (Order No. 141).

How do I get a licence to take sand or gravel from a river?

Apply to the licensing department, room 318, with a map of the site and the consent of the district administration. Licences are for up to five years.

Protected areas

Where do I get a permit for Besh-Tash?

At the Ranger Headquarters at Kök-Oi, at the park entrance, from May to October. The upper valley and the lakes are beyond the line; the Service cannot give permits there.

May I cut a spruce for New Year?

No. Spruces for New Year are sold by the Service's forest nurseries from 20 December, with a tag.

Plant quarantine

Do I need a certificate to bring seed potatoes from Kyrgyzstan?

Yes: a phytosanitary certificate of the exporting country, and a laboratory check by the Inspectorate. Potatoes for food under 500 kg need only a visual check.