Zangilan and Jabrayil are among seven regions liberated by Azerbaijan during the 44-day war with ethnic Armenian forces last autumn.

The rise in shipments this year is explained by the absence of supplies in the first six months of 2020.

Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan in January signed a breakthrough agreement on the exploration and development of the Dostlug field.

The areas around the formerly occupied Azerbaijani districts have long been regarded as some of the most heavily mined on earth.

In the Soviet era, such gritty industries were regarded as sacred pieces of the country’s clunky economy.