First stage of new Copper Processing Plant launched in Almalyk

Numerous large-scale projects are currently being implemented across the country in the fields of industry, energy, infrastructure, and services. New residential complexes, educational and medical institutions, as well as tourist and cultural centres are being developed in every region.

Another result of these large-scale efforts and the dedicated work of our people is Copper Processing Plant No. 3, which holds strategic importance for the development of the nation’s domestic industry.

This $2.7 billion project, implemented across 196 hectares as part of the development program of the  Yoshlik-1 deposit, is not just an enterprise but a modern industrial complex that will further strengthen the country’s industrial potential and enable the deep processing of its natural resources.

The plant, capable of processing 60 million tons of ore and producing about 900,000 tons of copper concentrate annually, is not only one of the largest copper producers in Central Asia but also ranks among the world’s largest processing plants.

To implement the project at world-class standards,   companies were involved, including Wood from Italy and Worley Parsons from the United Kingdom. The plant incorporates advanced technologies from leading global companies such as Metso, FLSmidth, Weir Minerals, and Siemens.

The project has also given a strong impetus to the development of related industries in the region. The metal structures used in its construction would be enough to build ten Eiffel Towers, while the reinforced concrete could be used to erect two and a half Burj Khalifa towers. This once again demonstrates the truly megaproject scale of the plant.

As part of the national Yashil Makon project, large-scale landscaping and greenery works are being carried out across the plant’s territory. Drip irrigation systems and environmentally friendly design solutions are intended to ensure a balance between industrial development and nature.

In his speech, the President noted the outcomes of reforms carried out in the mining industry in recent years and outlined plans for the future.

Thanks to the establishment of a transparent system for transferring deposits to investors, $10 billion in foreign investment has been attracted over the past nine years. Today, 65 private enterprises operate in this sector.

As a result, production in the industry has grown 1.7-fold, reaching 270 trillion soums last year. The sector now accounts for a quarter of industrial output and budget revenues. Notably, enterprises in this field also generate a significant number of high-paying jobs.

It was emphasised that one of the most important achievements has been the establishment of a system for training highly qualified specialists in cooperation with foreign partners.

In particular, a branch of the Moscow Institute of Steel and Alloys (MISiS), the Almalyk State Technical Institute, the University of Geological Sciences in Tashkent (established in cooperation with Wuhan University of Geosciences), and a branch of Italian University of Pisa have been established in Almalyk. The Navoi State Mining and Technological University has also launched joint programs with leading universities in Russia, Canada, the United States, France, and Chile.

Thanks to this, whereas previously precious and non-ferrous metals were mainly exported unprocessed, today 100,000 tonnes of copper are processed in the country and high value-added products are produced. In a short period, production in the jewellery industry has increased 3.3 times, exceeding 13 trillion soums.

The President noted that, considering the projects to be launched this year, the capacity for deep processing of copper will reach 240,000 tons. These figures will continue to grow with the implementation of new projects planned for the next two to three years.

It was noted that copper has become a strategic raw material for industry, energy, electrical engineering, the digital economy, artificial intelligence, and green development.

“Whoever builds a high value-added chain in the copper industry will lay the foundation for the industry of the future. A country that creates sustainable infrastructure for the deep processing of this raw material will bring income to thousands of families, development to regions, and strength to the state. Therefore, from the very first days of our reforms, we have paid special attention to geological exploration, identifying existing reserves and assessing our capacity to utilise them,” said the Head of State.

This year alone, 20 million tons of ore will be extracted from the Yoshlik-1 deposit. Over the next two years, this figure will reach 60 million tons.

Overall, it was noted that the Yoshlik-1 and Kalmakyr  deposits contain reserves of 45 million tons of copper and more than 5,000 tons of gold, which will provide the industry with a guaranteed supply of raw materials for at least 100 years. Rare metals such as molybdenum, selenium, tellurium and rhenium contained in these deposits create a solid foundation for projects in new innovative areas.

Once Copper Processing Plant No. 3 reaches full capacity, the daily production of copper concentrate at the Almalyk Combine will increase from the current 2,400 tons to 5,000 tons. At the same time, more than 6,000 young people will receive high-paying jobs as part of the project. The plant is introducing the most advanced mining technologies from the United States, Germany, Russia, China and Finland. All technological processes will be digitised and integrated into a unified management system based on artificial intelligence. As a result, energy consumption will decrease by 10 percent, production costs by 15 percent, while labour productivity will increase by 10 percent.

In addition, work has begun on the construction of a new copper smelting plant worth $2.5 billion.

Overall, it was emphasized that thanks to these two large facilities, the annual production of copper cathodes will increase from 148,500 tons to 300,000 tons, gold from 20 tons to 33 tons, silver from 161 tons to 203 tons, and molybdenum from 850 tons to 1,700 tons. Alongside this, the production of sulfuric acid – a raw material indispensable in uranium mining and the chemical industry – will triple.

The President noted that pre-project work for Copper Processing Plant No. 4 is proceeding at an accelerated pace, which will allow for a 1.5-fold increase in these figures.

By 2030, Uzbekistan intends to increase the extraction of gold to 175 tons, silver to 500 tons, uranium to 15,000 tons, while copper to 500,000 tons. The nearly 40,000 high-paying jobs expected to be created as part of the $22 billion projects being implemented will provide great opportunities for the country’s youth.

The Head of State expressed deep gratitude to all those who actively participated in the construction of the plant — builders and mechanics, engineers and technologists, geologists and miners, labour veterans who shared their experience and professional knowledge with the younger generation, as well as the foreign partners who contributed to the project. He wished the plant’s new team great success in their future work.

The President also held a conversation with the plant’s workers, labor veterans and professors.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, he pressed a symbolic button to launch the plant’s operations.