Azernews.Az

By Kamila Aliyeva

Chinese companies are planning to implement a project to extract tungsten, molybdenum and copper in the Samarkand region of Uzbekistan.

The project will be realized in the Ingichka massif near the city of Kattakurgan. Recently, representatives of a number of companies from China visited the location to conduct an initial study of the opportunities and conditions for the project implementation, podrobno.uz reported.

The Chinese companies intend to use two operating mines in the Ingichka massif, and there are also plans to build several new ones. Above all, they will be engaged in additional geological exploration, during which, in addition to tungsten, molybdenum and copper, other mineral resources can be found.

Also, there is an opportunity to produce building materials from wastes of ore sand, in particular facing bricks, in this territory.

To date, a preliminary agreement on the implementation of a mining and metallurgical industry project in the Ingichka massif area has been reached. It was agreed that direct Chinese investments to improve communication networks and infrastructure construction will amount to $ 50-55 million. The phased implementation of the project will ensure the creation of 500 to 700 new jobs.

Uzbekistan has large mineral reserves, which include more than 1,800 known mineral deposits. The country’s mineral resources include petroleum, natural gas, gold, silver, uranium, molybdenum, tungsten, coal, copper, zinc and lead. Uranium, copper and gold are the country’s chief minerals.

Currently, according to the decision of the Uzbek government, 29 deposits and 111 promising areas of solid minerals are offered to foreign investors. They include 12 deposits and 31 promising areas for precious metals (gold, silver), 18 non-ferrous metals (copper, lead and zinc), 14 deposits as well as 51 areas for rare and rare-earth metals and uranium.

The lists of the deposits and promising areas offered to foreign investors will be updated every five years taking into account newly obtained geological information.

Attraction of the foreign investors comes from the following factors. Firstly, Uzbekistan has significant resources for increasing capacities of the operating enterprise and creation of new ones. Secondly, the Republic possesses a highly developed efficiency of the mineral industry, a favorable infrastructure and highly skilled manpower. Thirdly, many deposits can be developed by open mining which is the cheapest method. Finally, Uzbekistan has the favorable investment climate provided by «The Subsoil Law» and a support by the governing bodies.

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Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva

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