Information on critical minerals for industry was presented

On March 7, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev familiarized himself with a presentation on expanding the raw material base of minerals critical to industry and the production of products with high added value, the press service of the head of our state reports.

Deposits of more than 30 metals, such as tungsten, molybdenum, magnesium, lithium, germanium, graphite, vanadium and titanium, have been identified in our country. Previously, this area did not receive due attention; investments were not made in the search for rare minerals, the processing of man-made waste and the production of finished products.

In recent years, an organizational basis has been created in this area and work has begun to obtain valuable products with high added value. At the presentation, the Minister of Mining and Geology presented the possibilities in this area.

In the next three years, it is planned to implement 76 projects covering 28 rare minerals, with a total value of 2.6 billion dollars. To expand the raw material base, additional funding is provided for geological exploration and research work.

It was emphasized that the main task is to extract valuable raw materials directly from ore using modern technologies, increase the purity of minerals and create products with high added value. For example, enrichment of tungsten concentrate from the ‘Ingichka’ deposit will double the added value. Currently, 18 similar projects have been developed.

In order to expand the chain ‘raw materials – processing – science and technology – finished products’, it was proposed to organize technology parks in the Tashkent and Samarkand regions, rich in molybdenum and tungsten.

The head of state instructed to carry out the transfer of technologies and best practices in this area, open modern laboratories and training centers. It was indicated that in the context of the ‘fourth industrial revolution’ it is necessary to create a solid base for taking worthy positions in this market.