Uzbekistan aims to strengthen tungsten, gold and uranium production capacity

The directive was issued during an extraordinary session of the Jizzakh Regional Council of People’s Deputies on 2 December, where the president highlighted the region’s significant potential in metals, mining and industrial production. He noted that Uzbekistan is implementing a project to extract 1,000 tonnes of tungsten annually, and with new developments in Gallaorol and Nurabad, the country is poised to become one of the world’s leading tungsten producers.

Mirziyoyev also ordered responsible agencies to attract investors to a promising gold-bearing site in Gallaorol and to complete geological exploration at the lead-zinc deposit in Farish. The feasibility study for the Arnasay uranium site, where reserves have already been identified, must also be completed as a priority.

The president emphasized that Jizzakh is already home to a diverse construction materials industry producing around 100 types of products, including cement, aerated concrete, basalt, decorative stone, glass and kaolin pigment. Through deeper processing, improved quality, brand development and certification, the value-added potential of the sector could increase by 20–30%, he said.

The Jizzakh Free Economic Zone (FEZ) currently hosts 30 projects worth $510 million, providing employment for around 10,000 people. An additional $540 million worth of projects is being implemented at an accelerated pace. However, businesses have urged the government to expand power capacity and build wastewater treatment facilities to support further industrial growth.

In response, the Ministry of Energy has been instructed to lay 40 km of high-voltage transmission lines and construct a 40 MW substation for the FEZ. The 2026 industrial zones infrastructure development program will allocate 100 billion UZS for the construction of water treatment facilities within the Jizzakh FEZ.

Electricity supply in the region, once fully reliant on the Shirin hydropower plant, has been significantly strengthened in recent years. In 2022, Masdar (UAE) launched a 220 MW solar power plant in Gallaorol. This year, Uzbekistan and Chinese partners are developing an additional 200 MW in capacity, with a further 300 MW planned for next year. In addition, 150 small and mini hydropower plants with a combined capacity of 30 MW are scheduled for commissioning.