TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, February 27. Uzbekistan
will begin coal extraction at several new deposits in the
Surkhandarya region as part of a broader plan to expand mining
capacity and accelerate industrial development, Trend reports via the press
service of the President of Uzbekistan.
The announcement was made during a meeting on the comprehensive
development of Surkhandarya region chaired by President Shavkat
Mirziyoyev.
Despite holding estimated coal reserves of around 100 million
tons in the region, Uzbekistan currently extracts only about 1
percent of that volume annually.
It was announced that coal production will begin this year at
the Sanjar deposit in Baysun and the Oksuv deposit in Altynsay,
while extraction at the Fangart field is scheduled to start next
year.
South Africa’s Sasol has expressed interest in producing
polypropylene, polyethylene, and synthetic rubber from coal.
Chinese investors have also signaled readiness to invest $1 billion
in the development of the Korakon, Jemsonit, Chukur, and Bayram-1
deposits in the Sariosiyo district.
Overall, these reserves constitute a significant raw material
base for electricity generation, construction materials, the
chemical industry, metallurgy, and automotive manufacturing.
Authorities have been instructed to conduct feasibility studies on
the placement of industrial facilities around the deposits and to
prepare project proposals worth at least $200 million.
Meanwhile, more than 8,000 projects worth a combined $5 billion
have been implemented in the region to date. Additional investment
and trade agreements totaling $10 billion have been reached with
partners from China, the United States, Russia, India, Austria,
Hungary, and other countries.
