After analyzing the market of service provision for solid minerals extraction, unreasonable fees charged to investors for access to geological information have been revealed by AZRK.
According to the order of the authorized body of the subordinate organization, the National Geological Service JSC has been granted the right to charge potential investors. In 2022-2023, the operator processed 3999 applications for geological information totaling 1.18 billion tenge. The highest payment amount was 38.9 million tenge for a single service.
However, this order contradicts the requirements of the "Subsoil and Subsoil Use" Code, which guarantees open and free access to geological information for all interested parties. This norm supports potential investors, facilitating the implementation of new projects, as emphasized by the agency.
The antimonopoly authority is taking action against operators engaging in illegal fee collection, not provided for by the law.
The Ministry of Industry and Construction has been issued a prescription to rectify the identified violations regarding this matter.
Previously, the National Center for Expertise and Certification JSC was fined 592.7 million tenge for abusing its monopoly position.
