Akmola region is one of the regions rich in natural resources. It has abundant reserves of widely distributed minerals, including gravel, sand, kaolin, clay, limestone, quartzite, and dolomite. However, in recent years, illegal exploitation of this wealth has become a serious problem. Some entrepreneurs have acquired quarries without the permission of local authorities and are extracting minerals on their own.
Today, hundreds of deposits are being developed in 17 of the 19 districts of the region. In particular, the intensive construction of Astana is contributing to the increase in illegal subsoil use. In order to meet the high demand for construction materials, some entrepreneurs operate without documents and without control. This damages the state budget, prevents the creation of new jobs, leads to land degradation and environmental pollution.
In this regard, the governor of the Akmola region, Marat Akhmetzhanov, instructed the administrative council to conduct a legal audit of the activities of all subsoil users.
“The amount of damage caused as a result of the surveying has been determined, and law enforcement agencies are currently considering this data. In February 2025, three criminal cases were registered regarding the illegal development of minerals and the independent use of subsoil. All of these cases are associated with causing significant damage to the state,” the Akmola regional department of entrepreneurship and industry reported.
In particular, illegal sand mining was detected in the Kabanbai Batyr rural district, near the Nura River. The entrepreneur worked without the necessary permits and delivered the sand to the cement plant. Three more entrepreneurs in the same area committed the same act.
Currently, measures have been taken to terminate contracts with enterprises that do not have the appropriate documents. This is a legal step aimed at restoring order in the use of subsoil in the region.
“Investigations are ongoing, law enforcement agencies will identify all violations and bring the guilty to justice. State bodies and local authorities will continue to fight against illegal mining in order to protect natural resources and ensure environmental safety,” the authorized state body said.
In addition, during the inspection, it turned out that many companies were registered outside the region, which makes it difficult to control them. In this regard, a number of enterprises have been re-registered and switched to legal work.
“Today, an inspection was conducted in 11 contract territories in the Akmola region, as a result of which four cases of illegal mining were identified. Among them are lands near the Kokshetau and Birzhansal districts. In total, the area of ​​​​the 15 inspected territories amounted to 500 hectares. "17 million tenge was allocated for these works," the department added.
The total economic loss amounted to 65 million tenge.
Establishing order in the use of subsoil is not a problem that can be solved in one day. However, the measures taken are bearing fruit. The important thing is not only to stop violations of the law, but also to create open and fair conditions for honest entrepreneurs.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/aqmola/press/news/details/949888