Mining

Uzbekistan possesses large mineral resources and raw materials, and their extraction and use contributes considerably to the stimulation of economic growth. Over 2700 mineral deposits and a variety of 100 different natural resources have been discovered - over 60 of these are presently being utilized in the national economy. Deposits, which number 940 included: 165 deposits of crude oil, gas and condense; 3 coal deposits; 46 precious metal deposits; 36 nonferrous metal deposits; 17 mining deposits; some rare earth and reactive metal deposits; 9 chemical deposits; 21 deposits of semi precious stones; 495 deposits of various materials used in construction; and, 151 underground water reservoirs, which can be used for drinking and other applications. In total, 45 percent of all resources that have been researched are being exploited. The production of precious metals comprises of five gold mines, three gold-extracting plants and one crushing and blending plant to produce flux raw material for copper. The Program of development of export potential for the production of precious metals for the period of up to 2005 has been worked out which aims at raising the investment potential of the branch, providing further development of gold extraction.

The Program envisages the growth of precious metal production by 2.7 times which will enable to increase export potential from US$ 44 million in 1997 to US$ 123 million in 2005. The Angren Gold Company Joint Venture was set up on the basis of the Angren Gold Mine, the activities of which are directed towards the increase of the mine's capacity by 2002 on excavation and processing of ore to 1.2 million tons and gold production to 10 tons annually. The Zarmitan Gold Company Venture is being set up on the basis of the Zarmitan gold mine and Guzhurnsay deposit. Approximately US$ 190,000 are slotted for the development of the mine and construction of the gold extracting plant. The enterprise will increase the excavation of ore to 2 million tons and gold production to 10 tons annually.

Nonferrous metallurgy, which is based on local resources, is one of the leading branches of industry in the republic. The branch was formed in the 1940s and 50s and is represented by copper, lead and zinc industry, and the production of rare- earth and precious metals which are mainly concentrated in the Angren-Almalyk region (Tashkent province). The strategy of metallurgic complex development is directed towards the rational combination of extraction and production of precious, nonferrous, ferrous, and rare-earth metals. The production of nonferrous metals is carried out in two directions - copper molybdenum and lead and zinc with a complete production cycle and the manufacture of ready-made produce as refined copper, refined precious metals and zinc. Copper production includes subdivisions - Kalmakyr and Say-Cheku Mines, copper concentration plant and a copper-melting plant. Ores containing copper, gold, silver, molybdenum, rhenium, selenium and tellurium, etc. are excavated from the Kalmakyr deposit. Primary sulfide ores are represented mainly by chalcopyrite, molybdenite, pyrite and chalcosinum. Gold and silver are linked with the crystal lattice of chalcopyrite and partially pyrite. Sulfide ores of the Kalmakyr deposit are easily processed, and the extraction of copper from the ore makes up from 75 to 80 percent. The concentration of copper-porphyry ores in the Sary-Cheku deposit are high - fluctuating between 80 and 85 percent. Currently the ores are processed at lead and zinc concentrating mills. Other elements are mined from the deposit, with the balance expected to provide work for the next 25 years.

The main reserves of lead, zinc and barite ores in the Uch-Kalach deposit will provide work for the next 50 to 60 years. Lead and zinc ores containing lead, zinc, silver, cadmium, bismuth, sulfur and other elements are mined from the deposit. The Republic of Uzbekistan is also a large world producer of tungsten and molybdenum products, and supplies tungsten-molybdenum wire, molybdenum flat rolled products, refractory metals and monocrystals. The central part of the Kyzylkum Desert is another important region for mining precious, nonferrous and rare-earth metals. The deposits of uranium, gold. silver, tungsten, phosphorites, table salt, marble, manganese and turquoise, finishing decorative stone, quartz sand for production of glass, faience and ceramics were discovered in the region. A complete cycle of producing uranium, gold, silver and other products was set up in the region. Palladium and rhenium are extracted and produced simultaneously with the main metals.