Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Uzbekistan and France have signed a framework agreement to develop a mineral extraction project worth US$5 million.

The agreement was concluded between Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Geology and the French Geological Survey (BRGM) during the Uzbek-French business forum on 11 March, ahead of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s visit to France.

The project aims to conduct geological and technical studies on critical minerals, including coal ash containing valuable resources.

This initiative builds on the cooperation established last March, when the Ministry of Geology and BRGM signed an agreement on scientific and technical collaboration. The partnership includes workforce training, research development, and knowledge exchange.

Additionally, BRGM will assist in developing Uzbekistan’s national geological service and establishing a digital infrastructure for storing subsurface data and assessing related risks.