WHAT ARE THE MAIN PRIORITIES FOR THE MINISTRY OF MINING AND GEOLOGY IN UZBEKISTAN?

 

Our main priorities are to implement measures aimed at sustainable economic development, create new production facilities based on local raw materials, improve working conditions, and prepare qualified personnel. We aim to develop mining policy and improve the regulatory framework, sustainably develop and reproduce the mineral resource base, modernize the industry, create new production capacities, and develop a value-added production chain. We also strive to integrate education, science, and innovative solutions based on a single system.

 

We have prepared a modern regulatory framework that meets the requirements of the best world practices, in particular, the new Law on Subsoil. This legislative act, defining priorities for the reproduction of the mineral resource base and ensuring effective use of subsoil resources, will contribute to the further development of the mining industry and geology in Uzbekistan. We have established modern environmental standards with obligations for the elimination of work-related consequences and environmental protection. Additionally, we have efficiently distributed functions for subsoil exploration by the geological service, starting from regional exploration and geophysical work, up to reserve calculation and preparation of technical and economic studies.

 

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF EDUCATION IN THE MINISTRY'S PRIORITIES?

 

Education is the most important investment in the new Uzbekistan. We are creating a unified system of education and training, where the newly created campus of the Geological Sciences University is being developed based on a cluster approach - education, science, and practice. We have enrolled 1,110 students in the Geological Sciences University, and educational programs were approved to ensure the integration of education, science, and practice based on a credit-module system, with the proportion of practical classes reaching 70 percent.

 

Educational field practice is carried out at the Oksokota site in the Tashkent region and the Darband site in the Surkhandarya region. Production practice is organized in enterprises such as Navoi Mining and Metallurgical Combinat (NMMC), Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Combinat (AMMC), Uzbekneftegaz, Uzbekgeologorazvedka, Uzbekgeofizika, and Uzbekhydrogeology. We also organize dual education for middle-level specialists in geological specialties in technical colleges.

 

HOW DOES UZBEKISTAN PLAN TO INCREASE ITS RESOURCES?

 

We plan to allocate more than U$100 million from the budget for the implementation of over 300 geological projects under the state program of geological exploration. We will drill more than 2 million linear meters of wells, execute 7.6 thousand cubic meters of underground and 360 thousand cubic meters of surface mining workings, and conduct 2,350 sq km of aerogeophysical works and 9,100 sq km of 2D seismic exploration and 2,150 sq km of 3D seismic exploration. 20 new prospective structures will be prepared for hydrocarbon exploration drilling. This is expected to increase resources, such as 172 tons of gold, 380 tons of silver, 6 thousand tons of uranium, 350 thousand tons of copper, 51 thousand tons of lead, 50 thousand tons of zinc, 8.4 thousand tons of tungsten, 150 thousand cubic meters of groundwater per day, 5 million tons of coal, and many other types of non-metallic minerals.

 

WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF THE COPPER CLUSTER AMONG THE INVESTMENT PROJECTS BEING IMPLEMENTED?

 

Within the framework of the Copper Cluster initiative, we plan to increase reserves of gold by 730 tons and copper by 1.5 million tons. A project is being implemented to develop the Kal'makyr and Yoshlik-1 copper deposits as a single quarry with an increase in the production capacity of Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Plant (AMMC) for copper production by 3 times, from the current 150,000 to 450,000 tons per year.

 

For the project of high-tech metals, a feasibility study has been prepared for the development of the Shavazsai lithium deposit. We are carrying out additional geological exploration works at the deposit to assess its reserves in accordance with international JORC standards. As part of the investment program for 2023, projects with a value of more than U$3.5 billion are being implemented. Among the investment partners, cooperation with the Canadian company B2Gold and Turkish companies MTA and Calik Holding on gold, the Japanese corporation JOGMEC and the French company ORANO on uranium, and many others can be noted.

 

We are open to dialogue and receptive to new knowledge. We are ready to apply advanced experience and innovations, develop new technologies with our partners, and make our contribution to the development of a modern high-tech state. We are developing international relations and promoting investment projects, taking into account that the mining sector of Uzbekistan is crucial for the economy and has the potential to implement large-scale projects for the extraction of minerals that can be offered to investors.

 

We are working with many international partners, including companies from Canada, Türkiye, Japan, and France, among others. We are committed to creating a favorable investment climate and promoting the development of the mining industry and geology in Uzbekistan.

 

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION IN YOUR PRIORITIES?

 

Environmental protection is one of our top priorities. We have established modern environmental standards with obligations for the elimination of work-related consequences and environmental protection. We are committed to responsible subsoil use and are implementing measures to ensure environmental safety.

 

We are also promoting the production of "green" products by entrepreneurs and investors for the development of the country and the welfare of the people. We have created a special Inspection for Control over Mining and Geological Activities and Industrial Safety, which is responsible for monitoring and ensuring safe subsoil use. The Inspection will be responsible for checking compliance with environmental regulations, ensuring the safety of mining and geological activities, and preventing accidents and emergencies. We are committed to ensuring the safe and responsible use of subsoil resources.