Uzbekistan plans to create a National Geological Data Bank and expand the use of artificial intelligence (AI) across the mining sector as part of efforts to attract $30 billion in investment by 2030.
The initiative forms part of a broader strategy to modernise one of the country's most important industries. Mining enterprises accounted for around 20% of Uzbekistan's industrial output in 2025 and contributed 118.5 trillion soums ($9.42 billion) to the state budget.
Authorities intend to use AI to analyse geological data, forecast mineral deposits, assess reserves and improve drilling efficiency. More than 2,000 deposits have already been digitised through the existing GeoMonitoring system, while a new National Geological Data Bank will consolidate more than 36,000 geological reports and datasets into a single digital platform.
Officials expect the project to improve transparency and provide investors with easier access to reliable geological information. According to government estimates, digitalisation could reduce production costs by 10%, halve the time required to discover new deposits and increase the number of investment proposals fourfold.
Uzbekistan is one of the world's most resource-rich countries, with proven reserves of approximately 6,400 tonnes of gold, 21.3 million tonnes of copper, 139,000 tonnes of uranium and 24,600 tonnes of silver. The country ranks among the global leaders in mineral wealth and is currently the world's 10th-largest gold producer. In 2024, Uzbekistan produced around 129 tonnes of gold.
Its mining industry is anchored by major enterprises including Navoi Mining and Metallurgical Company and Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Complex. The Muruntau deposit, operated by Navoi Mining and Metallurgical Company, is widely regarded as one of the largest gold deposits in the world and hosts one of the world's largest open-pit gold mines.
Uzbekistan has also been increasing production of strategic minerals. Uranium output reached 7,000 tonnes in 2025, and the country plans to expand production further and develop new mines in the coming years.
Between 2026 and 2030, Uzbekistan plans to implement 44 digitalisation and AI projects across the geology sector and six major mining enterprises, including Navoi Mining and Metallurgical Company, Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Complex, Navoiuran, Uzmetkombinat, Uzbekugol and the Uzbek Technological Metals Plant.
The projects will focus on automating production processes, digitalising corporate management, introducing AI technologies, improving industrial safety and modernising geological exploration.
Authorities estimate that the reforms could increase operational efficiency by 7%, improve equipment reliability by 20% and boost energy efficiency by 8%. Human-factor-related errors and risks are expected to decline by 15%.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev instructed officials to prepare separate programmes for the introduction of digital technologies and artificial intelligence across mining enterprises, while also improving the efficiency of production and labour resources.
The government views digitalisation as a key tool for unlocking the country's vast mineral potential and strengthening its position as one of the leading mining destinations in Central Asia.
Brazil has denied visa requests for two Trump administration officials who planned to travel to the country to cast doubt on the integrity of its elec...
A journey into one of the darkest chapters of the Baltic states' history. ...
India's Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, resigned on Saturday, marking a significant victory for youth protesters who had been demanding that h...
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 24th July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Russian authorities said 11 people, including four children, had been killed by Ukraine in an overnight attack on a holiday camp, accusing Kyiv on Saturday of deliberately targeting civilians.
The U.S. military said it completed a fresh wave of strikes on Iran late on Thursday, marking the 13th consecutive night of American attacks. The latest operation lasted more than two hours, according to U.S. Central Command.
Spain has declared a national emergency and evacuated more than 10,000 people after uncontrolled wildfires reached the outskirts of Madrid. Emergency crews have rescued residents as multiple blazes continue to spread across the region.
Six candidates vying to become the next United Nations Secretary-General have called for restoring the organisation's credibility, strengthening multilateralism and reforming the UN, during the first public town hall debate ahead of a decisive Security Council vote next week.
A new state agency wants the world to take Georgian food as seriously as Georgians already do.
Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have signed regional and commercial agreements worth more than 80 billion tenge ($146 million). The deals aim to expand cooperation between the two Central Asian neighbors in trade, transport, industry and cross-border development.
UN Secretary General António Guterres arrived in Damascus on Saturday for the first trip to Syria by a serving United Nations' chief since 2009, before the start of a civil war that killed hundreds of thousands and displaced millions.
More than 100 Afghan business representatives travelled to Uzbekistan this week for a business forum aimed at expanding trade and investment, as Uzbek investors also expressed interest in Afghanistan’s mining sector.
Kazakhstan's grain sector faces a difficult season as drought reduces harvest prospects while mounting security risks in the Black Sea threaten to redirect cheaper Russian grain into Central Asian markets.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment