TASHKENT

Uzbekistan’s copper production has increased almost 1.5 times reaching 148,000 tonnes in 2020, an output the government plans to double in the next five years to meet increasing global demand.

Production will be increased by creating a copper industry clusters and introducing modern technologies in the sector. The plans were unveiled during the government meeting chaired by the President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the president’s press service said.

The Central Asian nation’s annual revenue from the sale of copper is currently $2.5 billion. With an increase in copper production to 400,000 tonnes per year in the next five years, this figure, considering related industries, may rise to $7-8 billion, it said.

Mirziyoyev highlighted the importance of producing high value-added products. Currently Uzbekistan exports about 60 percent of copper as raw material.

International experts predict that by 2030 global demand for copper will grow by 40 percent due to growth in the production of electric vehicles, electrical engineering and the development of renewable energy sources. It is a trend Uzbekistan is hoping to capitalise on by implementing several strategic objectives to boost copper production by the end of the decade.

The government measures include the development of a five-year programme for expanding geological exploration for non-ferrous and rare metals, and the creation of a modern institute with the involvement of leading international companies for the development of design and engineering services in the sector.

The country also plans to produce mining equipment and tools and to transfer certain activities to the private sector, such as road transport services and digitalisation through cooperation and outsourcing. In addition, conditions will be created for the manufacturing of products with high added value, such as metal alloys, hard alloys, household appliances, batteries, and components for electric vehicles.

Uzbekistan’s Innovative Development Ministry intends to boost the development of industry enterprises in close coordination with research and applied innovation. To create copper industry clusters, the government plans to bring together specialists from all over the world to draw on international experience, as well as involve international companies.