President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has announced the readiness of Uzbek metallurgical companies to create a full technological chain — from geological exploration to finished products.

He made the statement at a meeting on the development of ferrous metallurgy, according to presidential press secretary Sherzod Asadov. It was noted that the country has 1.5 billion tons of iron ore reserves.

Agreements have been reached with Chinese partners to supply 650,000 tons of raw materials from the Surun-ota deposit starting in 2027.

In the next three to four years, the Tebinbulak deposit is planned to be launched, which will allow the production of 1 million tons of steel per year. A memorandum has been signed to purchase 700,000 tons of ore from Tajikistan — the contract is to be formalized by the end of the year.

Large private companies are ready to invest in the development of deposits. An enterprise in Samarkand is ready to invest up to $500 million in the development of a mine. The Bekabad plant is interested in developing the Temirkon deposit with reserves of 32 million tons.

The president instructed the creation of a separate company for centralized import of raw materials with a capital of $200 million. Imported raw materials will be sold only through the exchange.

Officials have been tasked with analyzing promising areas using artificial intelligence and presenting a geological program within a month. They were also instructed to attract large entrepreneurs to develop deposits.

There are about 150 small and medium-sized private metallurgical enterprises operating in the country. Following a recent meeting on construction materials, local governors have already launched new projects for the production of metal products.

Source: podrobno.uz