Code on Subsoil and Subsoil Management (Law No. 125-VI ZRK).

This Code determines the mode of subsoil use, the procedure for exercising state management and regulation in the field of subsoil use, particulars of the occurrence, exercise and termination of rights to subsoil plots, the legal status of subsoil users and their respective operations, as well as issues of subsoil use and disposal of subsoil use rights and other relations associated with the use of mineral resources. The goal of the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan on subsoil and subsoil management shall be to ensure the sustainable development of the mineral and raw material base of the Republic of Kazakhstan for the economic growth of the state and the welfare of society. The tasks of the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan on subsoil and subsoil management shall be as follows: (a) protection of the state’s ownership of the subsoil; (b) implementation of state policy and regulation of relations in the field of subsoil use; (c) respect for the interests of the state, citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the rights of subsoil users; (d) increase in the mineral resource base of the Republic of Kazakhstan; (e) establishing the grounds, conditions and procedure for the emergence, implementation, modification and termination of rights to use subsoil; (f) providing a legal basis for the sustainable development of subsoil use; (g) creation of conditions for attracting investments in the geological study of the subsoil and subsoil use; and (h) strengthening the rule of law in the field of subsoil use. Legal regulation of relations in the field of subsoil use is based on the principles of: (a) rational management of the state fund of mineral resources; (b) ensuring environmental safety when using subsoil; (c) availability of information in the field of subsoil use; (d) payment of subsoil use; (e) honesty of subsoil users; and (f) stability of the conditions of subsoil use. Subsoil management shall be performed in ecofriendly manner with the use of ecofriendly processes. Subsoil management shall require payment of taxes and other mandatory payments to the state budget. Subsoil shall be exclusive state property. Minerals shall be classified as groundwater, hydrocarbons and solid minerals. The right of subsoil management shall be obtained through issuance of license and conclusion of contract on subsoil management. License shall be issued for subsoil management of a single subsoil plot. License shall be issued in Kazakh and the Russian languages. The right of subsoil management can be restricted in certain specific land areas. This Code contains X Sections divided into 278 Articles. Section I lays down general provisions. Section II regards subsoil management. Section III regards safe subsoil management. Section IV regards public governance in the field of subsoil management. Section V regards disputes concerning subsoil management, establishes liability for the infringement of the national legislation on subsoil and subsoil management, international cooperation in the field of subsoil and subsoil management. Section VI regards geological study and exploration of subsoil. Section VII regards prospecting and extraction of hydrocarbons. Section VIII regards extraction of uranium. Section IX regards prospecting and extraction of solid minerals. Section X regards use of subsoil area, free miners and lays down final and transitional provisions.