he development of copper mines in Central Asia is entering a period of rapid growth. The construction of a super concentrator in Zetsu, Kazakhstan, with an annual processing capacity of 50 million tons of copper ore has begun. The first production line of the third concentrator in Almarek, Uzbekistan, has been put into operation. The intelligent transformation of the Kuruk-Tegelek copper-gold mine in Kyrgyzstan is accelerating. The rise of these "super concentrators" signifies that this important global copper resource reserve is rapidly moving towards becoming a "world-class copper industry hub."
As a global hub for copper resources, Central Asian countries have been continuously releasing their resource potential in recent years: Kazakhstan's Koksay copper mine has proven reserves exceeding 823 million tons; Uzbekistan has launched 76 rare metal projects with a total investment of US$2.6 billion; and Kyrgyzstan's copper and gold mines show clear prospects for increased reserves. Coupled with the surge in copper demand driven by the global new energy industry and the optimized investment policies of various countries—Uzbekistan's new Underground Resources Law implementing "one-stop" approval, and Kazakhstan revitalizing stalled mining projects—Central Asian copper has become a global capital focus, forming a triple-benefit pattern of "resources + market + policy."
Chinese enterprises play a core enabling role in this boom. Xinhai Mining Equipment's 1.5 million t/a copper ore flotation plant in Kazakhstan, with its technological advantages of 90% ore recovery rate and 15% energy consumption reduction, has set a new record for low-grade copper ore development in the region. China Gold Group's project in Kyrgyzstan overcame complex geological challenges, achieving positive cash flow in 2024, while also donating to infrastructure, creating local jobs, and continuously increasing the proportion of local teams. China-Uzbekistan cooperation extends to talent cultivation and green transformation, with joint educational programs and ESG certification projects promoting high-quality industrial development. These collaborations not only bring technological breakthroughs but also, through supporting construction such as the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway plan, reduce copper concentrate transportation costs by 40%, building a cross-border industrial ecosystem.
The concentrated establishment of these super-large ore processing plants reflects the deep alignment between the restructuring of the global copper resource landscape and the Belt and Road Initiative. Central Asia, with its geographical advantages and resource endowments, has become a crucial fulcrum for China to hedge against South American copper supply risks and ensure resource security for its new energy industry. Meanwhile, copper mining has brought economic growth, employment opportunities, and industrial upgrading to Central Asian countries, enabling them to transition from "resource exporters" to "industrial hubs." From the roar of machinery across the Gobi Desert to mutually beneficial cross-border collaboration, this copper industry partnership spanning the Tianshan Mountains is injecting new momentum into the sustainable development of global mineral resources through its efficient, intelligent, and green development model.