Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan plans to increase uranium production from 7,500 tonnes in 2026 to 15,000 tonnes by 2030 as part of efforts to develop Navoiyuran and expand the country’s mineral resource base.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed a presentation on the priorities for 2026 and the development prospects of Navoiyuran and the Uzbek Technological Metals Combine.
The presentation noted that global demand for critical minerals and metals is growing significantly faster than demand for traditional metals, at approximately 10% annually compared with 1%. In response, Uzbekistan plans to expand mineral extraction and processing, increase production of higher value-added goods and boost exports.
The Uzbek Technological Metals Combine plans to launch 12 investment projects by the end of 2026, expand the production of locally manufactured goods and increase output of high-purity selenium and tellurium.
The president instructed officials to accelerate the development of new types of critical raw materials. In addition to the five products already being produced — tungsten, molybdenum, selenium, tellurium and rhenium — the country plans to establish production of 11 more materials. These include nickel, cobalt, graphite, antimony, tin, manganese, platinum, vanadium, mercury and copper.
According to the plans presented, by 2030 production across 16 types of critical raw materials is expected to exceed US$2.7 billion.
Particular attention was given to the deeper processing of tungsten. The projects are expected to attract US$1.1 billion in investment, with production targeted to reach nearly US$2.2 billion by 2030. The presentation also examined opportunities to develop new deposits containing rare and rare-earth elements.
Regarding Navoiyuran, the presentation highlighted rising global demand for uranium raw materials. According to the data presented, demand has increased by 15–20% in recent years and is expected to grow by a further 28% by 2030.
To increase uranium production, Uzbekistan plans to expand geological exploration and technological drilling, develop production infrastructure, commission additional sorption units and create 250 jobs.
Measures are also being considered to strengthen cooperation with domestic companies and increase supplies of technical sulphur, sulphuric acid and nitric acid. In particular, by 2030, the share of reagents that can replace sulphuric acid in production processes is planned to reach 40%.
Alongside the target of raising annual uranium production to 15,000 tonnes, Uzbekistan aims to increase its explored uranium reserves to 200,000 tonnes.
Following the presentation, Mirziyoyev instructed officials to ensure the timely implementation of investment projects, strengthen the companies’ raw material bases, launch new production facilities and increase output and exports of higher value-added products.
