08.07.2022

On July 8, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev chaired a meeting on the results achieved in the geology and plans for the industry until the end of the year.

The Chairman of the State Committee for Geology and Mineral Resources B. Islamov reported on the work carried out in recent years. In particular, as a result of the introduction of modern technologies, the volume of exploration and drilling operations increased to 1,5 times.

The tax rates for the use of subsoil have been reduced, opening the way for private investors. An investment of 1 billion 400 million dollars has begun due to the sale of deposits through an auction.

The University of Geological Sciences has been established, the activities of which are organized based on the most modern technologies and advanced methods.

At the presentation held on May 19 this year, the President gave instructions on the transformation of the state enterprise «Navoiuran» and the increase in uranium reserves. The information has been presented on the work begun in this direction, targets for the medium and long term today.

It is set to transfer the technological process and financial reporting to the international standards, to double the volume of production and reserves of uranium by 2030.

The President emphasized that for the effective implementation of these activities, it is necessary to open a project office in «Navoiuran», attract the foreign specialists and improve the skills of personnel.

The development of deposits of non-ferrous and rare metals was also discussed. The area of ​​geological exploration for these types of raw materials has been expanded. It is planned to create the «Yangi Kon» (‘New mine’) company under the Fund for Reconstruction and Development of Uzbekistan. This company shall implement the investment projects for the extraction of lithium, aluminum, magnesium, graphite and other rare metals.

The water resources are also important. In recent years, the groundwater level in 21 districts has dropped to 20 meters from the surface. Despite this, unauthorized drilling of wells for water is observed in some places. In 2021 alone, 1,2 thousand such cases were detected.

Therefore, the President previously instructed to organize the rational use of groundwater. To this end, a draft law was developed to increase liability for inefficient use of groundwater.

The reports were made on the measures taken to increase groundwater reserves in Bukhara, Jizzakh, Samarkand, Surkhandarya and Tashkent regions.

The information was also provided on the widespread introduction of renewable energy sources and the creation of an appropriate cluster in Kashkadarya

«In general, geology is the main driver of economic growth. It is necessary to exploit its full potential», the President has said.