The Uzbek government will establish a new scientific and technological cluster for the production of high added value copper and processed products within Uzbekistan.

According to the recent Presidential Resolution, the cluster will focus on the following activities:

• Expansion of geological exploration for copper, non-ferrous, rare earth and rare metals 
• Implementation of a new system of interaction between science and manufacturing
• Development of new types of mining and metallurgical machinery and equipment
• Improvement of the system of training, retraining and advanced training of personnel
• Implementation of the necessary infrastructure for the mining and metallurgical industry 
• Improvement of the regulatory environment.

To implement the resolution, the relevant ministries and departments will focus on preparing investment projects, proposals for the creation of special industrial zones, as well as the system for attracting foreign manufacturers and potential investors.

Specifically, they have been tasked to prepare the following this year:

• A program for the production development of new types of mining and metallurgical machinery and equipment in 2022-2026, with the involvement of foreign consulting firms
• A set of KPIs to expand the production of chemical products
• A system of attracting leading foreign manufacturers and potential investors to operate the cluster’s activities, as well as a list of investment projects
• A draft concept on how to  establish and develop the cluster, with the involvement of foreign consulting firms and specialists
• A target program for the geological exploration for copper and other rare metals
• An implementation plan for the standardization of the national environmental requirements in line with international standards, as well as a schedule for the implementation of international environmental requirements
• A program to reduce emissions into the environment by large companies operating in the mining and metallurgical industry and other basic industries
• A program for the rational use of water resources by mining companies Almalyk MMC and Navoi MMC
• Proposals for the establishment of the center for the study of the economics of the mining and metallurgical industry 
• Proposals for the implementation of the national competitiveness program
• A program for the improvement of the regulatory environment in line with the experience of leading foreign countries.

The Government of Uzbekistan will negotiate contracts with foreign consulting firms and specialists. The cost of developing the above measures will be covered by Almalyk MMC, Navoi MMC and other companies.

The establishment of the cluster will also cover the production and transportation of electrical energy (including renewable energy sources) and the construction of infrastructure for water, transport and utilities, as well as digitalization and implementation of telecommunications technologies by the companies operating in the cluster.

Uzbekistan has the world’s eighth-largest copper reserves¹, and the country's annual copper production is around 150,000 tons².

1. The State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Geology and Mineral Resources, https://uzgeolcom.uz/en/page/78
2. SUE “The editors of the newspapers “Yangi Oʻzbekiston” and “Pravda Vostoka”, https://yuz.uz/ru/news/agmk-naraivaet-eksportny-potentsial