Uzbekistan Plans Expansion of Critical Minerals Production

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has been briefed on plans to develop the resource base of critical minerals and expand the production of high value-added industrial goods.

A presentation outlined a comprehensive development program for the sector for 2026–2030.

The plan includes the implementation of 120 projects with a total value of US$4.2 billion. As a result, the sector is expected to reach US$1 billion in output by 2028 and US$2 billion by 2030.

It was noted that global demand continues to grow for technological metals and critical minerals widely used in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, aviation, energy, medicine and other high-tech industries.

Against this backdrop, development of domestic resource capacity is considered important for industrial competitiveness and economic security.

Officials said Uzbekistan has significant potential in this sector.

At present, the activities of the Uzbek Technological Metals Plant are mainly focused on tungsten and molybdenum production. However, development of new deposits and modern production facilities is expected to enable industrial production of 28 types of minerals in demand.

Twelve projects worth US$166 million are scheduled to be launched this year. These include production of three new types of metals — high-purity selenium, tellurium and rhenium — as well as 21 types of import-substituting products, including automotive components based on powder metallurgy and sulfuric acid.

Implementation of the projects is expected to create new jobs, increase budget revenues and expand export potential.

Particular attention is being given to the development of a full production cycle for tungsten and molybdenum processing, from raw material extraction to finished products. This includes production of metal powders, alloys, rods, wire, industrial components and other high value-added goods.

To support these objectives, the “Metals of the Future” technopark and a research and development center are planned in Chirchik. The facilities will provide conditions for commercialization of scientific developments, support for startups and production of high-purity metals and innovative products.

The president stressed the need to provide additional benefits for land use and infrastructure access for the technopark and its residents, as well as to develop financing mechanisms for startup projects.

A project to establish a research and technology center for critical minerals, the only one of its kind in Central Asia, was also reviewed. A nanotechnology laboratory in Chirchik is expected to process up to 1,000 samples per day.

Its launch is projected to replace US$6.5 million in imported services and generate an additional US$4 million in export revenues from analytical services.

The presentation also highlighted the need to expand geological exploration, assess promising deposits in line with international standards, process industrial waste, and attract foreign investors and technology partners to accelerate project implementation.

Digitalization of the sector was also discussed. Tasks include creating a unified digital geological database, introducing artificial intelligence technologies, developing 3D geological modeling, real-time monitoring of production processes and using modern platforms for market analysis and project management.

Training of personnel was also addressed. A dual education system has been introduced in cooperation with Tashkent State Technical University, and metallurgy and materials science departments have been established at the Technological Metals Plant.

Currently, 64 students are undergoing practical training at the enterprise. The president instructed officials to expand dual education coverage, adapt academic programs to the needs of new projects and ensure training of specialists for high-tech industries.

Following the presentation, relevant agencies were instructed to ensure strict control over the implementation of the 2026–2030 sector development program.