As noted, the rapid development of strategic sectors such as information technology, artificial intelligence, robotics, energy, electrical engineering, the chemical industry, and the defense industry today largely depends on the availability of raw materials, including copper, uranium, lithium, tungsten, and other critical metals. The growing global demand for these resources, including the increasing shortage of copper concentrate and the expected rise in prices, makes the need to accelerate projects in the mining and metallurgical industries even more pressing.
In this regard, the need was highlighted to fully mobilize all available opportunities to achieve the target indicators of increasing gold production in Uzbekistan to 175 tons, silver to 500 tons, uranium to 15 thousand tons, and copper to 500 thousand tons by 2030.
It was emphasized that to achieve this, it is important to implement each major project in accordance with a clear schedule and to coordinate the resolution of issues related to financing, construction, logistics, technological equipment, and staffing.
At the meeting, particular attention was paid to a critical review of the progress of strategic projects being implemented at the Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Complex. In particular, specific instructions were given to accelerate the next stages of Copper Processing Plant No. 3.
In addition, issues related to the construction of a new copper smelting plant, which will become the technological continuation of this project, were considered. Instructions were given to complete the feasibility study, involve foreign experts, and begin construction work as soon as possible.
Based on the prospective needs of the Almalyk Complex, the importance of engaging reputable international companies to develop the feasibility study for Copper Processing Plant No. 4 was particularly emphasized. The need for the document to comprehensively address issues of water supply, railway and energy infrastructure, environmental requirements, and highly efficient technologies was also highlighted.
At the meeting, it was noted that this year the sector plans to attract $2.2 billion in investment through 90 projects, and targets were set for producing 172.5 thousand tons of copper, 120 tons of gold, 210.5 tons of silver, and 8 thousand tons of uranium.
At the same time, it was emphasized that feasibility studies for several promising deposits and facilities must be completed as quickly as possible, and that the opportunities offered by the new resolution to simplify expert review procedures should be effectively utilized. The government was instructed to promptly resolve organizational and legal issues within the framework of these projects.
Particular attention was also paid to accelerating projects for coal extraction and processing in response to growing demand for energy resources. Tasks were defined to increase the volume of coal supplies to the population and industrial enterprises.
Within the framework of the activities of the Navoi Mining and Metallurgical Complex, instructions were given regarding the next stage of expansion of the Muruntau mine, the development of new deposits, the introduction of technologies for extracting gold from complex ores, as well as the revision of mechanisms of cooperation with investors on several major projects.
In the metallurgical sector, issues related to increasing production volumes at Uzmetkombinat, the efficient use of the domestic raw material base, expanding the range of competitive products, and aligning sheet metal production with market demand were considered. Specific measures were identified to ensure the supply of raw materials, diversify the product range, and enter new markets.
The activities of the Technological Metals Complex were also addressed at the meeting. Tasks were set to expand the production of critical metals and complex alloys for industry, accelerate projects to produce selenium, tellurium, powder metallurgy products, and other high-value-added goods.
Issues related to cost reduction and expense cutting at sectoral enterprises were also considered. Responsible officials were instructed to develop targeted programs to lower production costs, reduce energy consumption, ensure efficient use of resources, and achieve concrete results on a monthly basis.
Attention was also focused on increasing the share of domestically produced components in public procurement and industrial cooperation. In this regard, responsible officials were given specific instructions to increase the share of locally produced goods in projects and procurement to more than $2 billion this year.
Plans were also discussed to intensify geological exploration, identify additional reserves, propose new mining and investment blocks to investors, and integrate promising hydrocarbon deposits into the economy. In particular, the task was set to significantly increase the reserves of gold, silver, copper, uranium, and zinc this year.
It was noted that, within the framework of projects in the sector worth $22 billion, 38,000 new jobs will be created. In particular, there will be demand for 7.5 thousand engineers and 14 thousand mid-level specialists. In this regard, instructions were given to organize the activities of sectoral universities and technical colleges in line with new requirements, adapt educational programs to modern technologies, widely introduce dual education, and ensure a close connection between diploma projects and production tasks.
In addition, tasks were set to orient scientific research at universities toward developing practical technological solutions for complexes, to introduce the results of scientific work into production, to organize training grounds for students, and to adapt workshops at industrial enterprises for practical and research activities.
It was also instructed to establish a system for publishing a list of relevant scientific topics within the framework of new projects. Not only the five sectoral universities, but also all state and private educational and scientific organizations in technical fields will be able to participate in these studies.
Following the meeting, the creation of an Industrial Council, chaired by the President, was announced to systematically oversee the implementation of major projects in key sectors such as mining, metallurgy, the chemical industry, and the oil and gas sector. Within the framework of this council, monthly action plans will be approved for the transformation of large enterprises based on international standards, the reduction of production costs and energy consumption, deep processing of raw materials, increasing the share of locally produced goods, digitalization of all processes, the introduction of artificial intelligence, and the growth of investment and exports.
Responsible officials were instructed to discuss the progress of implementing these plans monthly through critical analysis and on-site visits to enterprises, promptly resolve existing issues, and present quarterly reports on the results.
