A press conference was held with the participation of representatives of the Ministry of Mining and Geology
On December 11 of this year, a press conference was held at the National Press Center of Uzbekistan with the participation of the head of the department of strategic development and investment B. Mamatov, the head of the department for monitoring localization projects, development of rare, technological and ferrous metallurgy I. Jumaev, the head of the department of the Subsoil Use Center Sh. Yakubov and representatives of the media, works aimed at increasing the investment attractiveness of the geological industry and attracting foreign and local investors based on transparent mechanisms were presented.
As B. Mamatov noted, in recent years a number of works have been carried out to attract investments in the field of geology and improve its attractiveness, in particular, with the involvement of foreign investors, industrial development of mineral deposits is carried out, support for geological exploration using modern methods and technologies, as well as improvement tax systems for subsoil users.
According to B. Mamatov, within the framework of the Investment Program for 2023, approved by Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. PP-459 dated December 28, 2022, the Ministry of Mining and Geology plans to implement 15 projects worth $175 million. These projects are implemented through direct investment.
In particular:
- Project for research and development of the Kuldzhuktau mountain range worth $25 million;
- A project to carry out geological exploration work in the promising areas of Karatau and Boshtovok in the amount of $24 million;
- A project to carry out geological exploration work in the “Northern” and “Southern Dzhengeldi” areas with the subsequent development of the found deposits in the amount of $17 million.
The head of the department, I. Dzhumaev, emphasized the implementation of a number of activities on localization, development of industrial cooperation and outsourcing services at large metallurgical plants.
In 2023, the volume of imports at the plants amounted to $930.2 million, which is 30 percent less than in 2021 ($1,318.7 million). At the same time, Navoi MMC amounted to $202.3 million, a decrease of 19 percent (compared to 2021, it was $248.6 million), Almalyk MMC amounted to $477.0 million, a decrease of 39 percent (compared to from 2021, it was $788.1 million), and at Uzmetkombinat it was $250.9 million, a decrease of 11 percent (compared to 2021, it was $282.0 million).
A representative of the State Institution "Subsoil Use Center" noted that in 2023, 567 permits were issued (142 for geological exploration, 425 for production), of which 253 objects were put up for auction (101 permits were granted, the total volume of payments amounted to 8.6 billion soums ), including 139 objects of strategic importance put up for auction, of which 87 (52 for geological exploration, 8 for production) received permits (sold for the amount of 355 billion soums), (in 2023 there were 28), of which 15 permits were issued in 2023 (13 for geological exploration, 2 for production), with the total volume of payments amounting to 170.1 billion soums.
At the same time, 305 objects were put up for auction for carrying out activities using the gold mining method, of which 302 received permits (sold in the amount of 29.7 billion soums), while in 2023 35 permits were issued (7.5 million soums were fully paid) .
Also, 1,377 objects for the use of non-metallic raw materials were put up for auction, of which 954 (590 for geological exploration, 364 for mining) permits were issued (sold for 43.4 billion soums).
In addition, at the press conference, the speakers answered questions of interest to the participants.