Recently, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited the Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Combine and officially launched the project for the third copper processing plant. Simultaneously, a massive mining plan is underway. Over the next few years, Uzbekistan will implement mining investment projects totaling $22 billion.

I. The conference revealed a set of incredibly impressive data: Uzbekistan's two major mining areas, Yoshlik-1 Mine and Kalmakyr Mine, possess reserves of: 45 million tons of copper and over 5,000 tons of gold. Based on current mining capacity, these resources are estimated to be sufficient to support the country's industrial production for over 100 years.

II. Beyond copper and gold, these deposits also contain various rare metals, including: molybdenum, selenium, tellurium, and niobium. These metals are widely used in: new energy batteries, semiconductor materials, high-end alloys, and aerospace manufacturing. This means that these mining areas are not only resource-rich areas but may also become a crucial foundation for future high-end materials industries.

III. $2.7 Billion Copper Plant Officially Commences Production. The third copper processing plant, with an investment of $2.7 billion, began construction in 2021. Upon completion, production capacity will significantly increase: copper cathode output 148,500 tons → 300,000 tons; gold 20 tons → 33 tons; silver 161 tons → 203 tons; molybdenum 850 tons → 1,700 tons. Furthermore, sulfuric acid production will triple. Sulfuric acid is a crucial raw material for uranium mining and the chemical industry.

IV. Fourth Copper Plant Launched. The third copper plant was just the first step. Uzbekistan has begun construction on its fourth copper processing plant. Project investment: approximately $2.5 billion. Upon completion, the new plant will further increase overall mineral processing capacity by 1.5 times.

V. National Mining Plan. Uzbekistan has formulated long-term mining goals. By 2030, the national mineral output will reach: 175 tons of gold, 500 tons of silver, 500,000 tons of copper, and 15,000 tons of uranium. To achieve this goal, the government plans to implement $22 billion in mining projects and create approximately 40,000 high-paying jobs. Mining is becoming a core part of the national economy. Over the past nine years, Uzbekistan's mining industry has attracted $10 billion in foreign investment. Currently, mining accounts for approximately 25% of the national industrial output, reaching 270 trillion soms last year. Mining is becoming one of Uzbekistan's most important economic pillars.

Finally, with the development of super-deposits, the construction of large-scale smelters, and continuous investment, the mining landscape in Central Asia is changing. Against the backdrop of continued growth in global demand for new energy and metals, Uzbekistan is gradually becoming one of the world's major suppliers of mineral resources.

Reprinted from Mining Hub