BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 10. President Shavkat
Mirziyoyev has reviewed plans to expand the use of digital
technologies and artificial intelligence across Uzbekistan’s mining
and geology sectors, part of a broader effort to increase
efficiency, attract investment, and strengthen the country's
resource base, Trend
reports via the press service of the Uzbek president.
Mining remains one of the key pillars of Uzbekistan’s economy.
In 2025, mining and geological enterprises accounted for 20% of the
country’s total industrial output and generated 118.5 trillion soms
(about $9.8 billion) in budget revenues.
During the presentation, ongoing efforts to modernize the
industry through digital transformation and advanced technologies
were outlined. The government reported that major mining
enterprises reduced operating costs by 7.3 trillion soms (about
$607 million) in 2025 and lowered production costs by 9.1% through
efficiency measures and digitalization initiatives.
Authorities have also introduced the GeoMonitoring information
system and digitized data from more than 2,000 mineral deposits,
creating a foundation for broader technological integration.
Officials said geological exploration programs are underway to
increase Uzbekistan’s mineral reserves over the next five years by
879 tons of gold, 510 tons of silver, and 676,000 tons of
copper.
According to the presentation, artificial intelligence will be
deployed throughout the geological exploration process, enabling
faster analysis of geological data, more accurate resource
assessments, improved mineral deposit forecasting, and enhanced
drilling efficiency.
Mirziyoyev emphasized the need to elevate the technological
transformation of the sector by creating AI-based systems capable
of managing and analyzing production processes.
The initiative envisions consolidating vast volumes of
geological information—including maps, exploration results,
drilling records, laboratory analyses, and production data—into a
unified digital platform. Combined with 3D modeling and advanced
analytics, the system is expected to improve the identification of
new mineral deposits and accelerate project development.
The adoption of AI and digital technologies is estimated to
reduce production costs by 10%, cut the time required to discover
new deposits by half, and increase the number of investment
opportunities available to potential investors by a factor of
four.
The government aims to attract $30 billion in investment into
the geology and mining sectors by 2030. To support that goal, the
establishment of a National Geological Data Repository, that would
provide investors with reliable and standardized geological
information is proposed.
As part of the initiative, a Technology Transformation Center
will be established, while more than 36,000 geological reports and
primary datasets will be digitized. Authorities expect these
measures to double the speed and quality of geological data
processing, deposit modeling, and reserve calculations.
The government also unveiled plans for 44 digitalization and AI
projects to be implemented between 2026 and 2030 across the geology
sector and six major state-owned enterprises, including the Navoi
Mining and Metallurgical Company (NMMC), Almalyk Mining and
Metallurgical Complex (AMMC), Navoiuran, Uzmetkombinat, Uzbekcoal,
and the Uzbek Technological Metals Plant.
The projects will focus on five key areas: production
automation, digital corporate governance, artificial intelligence
deployment, industrial and workplace safety, and the digital
transformation of geological exploration.
It is expected that the projects will increase operational
efficiency by 7%, improve equipment reliability by 20%, and boost
energy efficiency by 8%. Human-error-related risks are also
expected to decline by 15%.
Mirziyoyev instructed officials to incorporate productivity and
workforce-efficiency measures into mining companies’ business plans
and to approve dedicated programs supporting technology and
artificial intelligence initiatives across the industry.
The president also stressed the importance of securing
intellectual property rights for domestically developed
technological solutions as Uzbekistan seeks to build a more
innovative and competitive mining sector.
