Uzbekistan will increase uranium excavation

A separate exploration program will be developed to to carry out geological prospecting and the capacity of uranium production will be increased.  This was stated by president of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev yesterday 19 May, at the presentation of projects aimed at further development of geological industry, and expansion of mineral and groundwater resources.

It was stated at the presentation that 27 new uranium deposits were opened and a stable raw material base was created.  However, there are more opportunities in this area.  Therefore, the president of Uzbekistan gave instructions to increase the production and excavation of rare and precious metals.

At the presentation, officials informed of plans developed in this direction.  According to the plans, 14 projects worth 182 million dollars were initiated.

The president set the task of developing a special program for organizing geology-exploration works for 2022-2026.  The program implies the aggrandizement of uranium reserves at the expense of 8 new uranium deposits and 18 promising sites, the supply of modern drilling equipment, creation of a digital geological model.

The president also instructed the transformation of the state enterprise “Navoiyuran” (Navoi uranium), to attract foreign specialists and to improve technological processes.

It was noted that it was important to assess uranium reserves under international standards and to increase the level of uranium extraction from ores based on the latest technologies.

The presentation also considered proposals to investigate promising deposits and attract investors to them.  According to the outcomes of the presentation, a project office “New Mine” under the Recovery and Development Fund of Uzbekistan is planned to be created, and 15 million dollars will be allocated to its authorized capital.  The project office will implement investment projects for the production of lithium, aluminum, magnesium, graphite, and other rare metals.

The president noted that the price of uranium on the world market is growing steadily, and in the new projects, special attention should be paid to the processing of this raw material and the creation of benefit.

Of course, it also requires qualified staff.  Therefore, the University of Geological Sciences was established at the initiative of the president.  The Navoi State Mining Institute has been granted university status.  Joint programs have been established with the mining universities of Pisa, Italy, and Saint Petersburg, Russia.

However, it was noted that the training of mid-level professionals with modern knowledge, information technology, and foreign languages was slow.  In particular, the state committee of Geology and Mineral Resources alone require more than 300 mid-level specialists per year.

Therefore, the need to increase the number of geological specialties in the technical schools of Zarafshan, Angren, and Guzar and to train skilled workers was stated.

Last year, a copper industry cluster was established in the country.  According to the program, it is planned to double the production of copper on a single «chain» up to 8 billion dollars.

The presentation also reported the work being done in this regard.

It is known that one of the most actual problems in Uzbekistan is the lack of water. In such conditions, it is necessary to use groundwater wisely. Unfortunately, in recent years, the water table has fallen to 5 meters in 13 districts and to 20 meters in 9 districts.

Therefore, the President instructed the relevant authorities to increase the capacity of groundwater resources and organize their rational use.