Production of Competitive and Quality Products for the World Market is an Important Task

 

     As it is known, science and implementation of large-scale economic reforms have played a key role in the history of development of states. The changes taking place in the world economy and industry since the beginning of the 21st century confirm this. In recent years, countries are paying more and more attention to the development of science, using its potential to improve the efficiency of production, industry and other sectors. Studying the experience of developed countries is important, and along with this, strengthening scientific and technological potential and rational use of natural resources of Uzbekistan, which requires an innovative approach to development, is becoming an urgent task. Under conditions of increasing competition, globalization and integration in the world economy, states are forced to be in constant search of new solutions for sustainable development. At the same time, digitalization, robotization and artificial intelligence technologies are being rapidly introduced in all spheres. Under these conditions, it becomes necessary to study more deeply the factors affecting the financial situation of industrial enterprises, as well as to organize production in accordance with market requirements and manage it effectively.
     Recently, the concept of «green economy» has become a priority in the world economy. Many countries are implementing specific programs in this area. Uzbekistan is also working on transition to environmentally friendly and resource-saving model of economic development. As the President of our country Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted at the Samarkand International Climate Forum on April 5 this year, it is planned to bring the share of renewable energy in the country’s energy balance to 54% by 2030 and put into operation 24 thousand MW of «green» capacity. Indeed, the «green» economy is the most important direction aimed at protecting the environment and ensuring balanced economic growth. At the summit, the President of Uzbekistan proposed to create an Investment Platform to promote major regional projects in green energy, innovation, transportation, infrastructure and agriculture. Thanks to its pragmatic policy, New Uzbekistan is demonstrating to the world its creative potential on the way to high achievements. Peace, harmony, cohesion in our country, as well as the humanistic policy of the state become the basis for the development of the country and the well-being of the people.

 

 

     Navoi Mining and Metallurgical Combine today is a multi-sectoral strategic production cluster that unites such major industries as geology, mining, metallurgy, energy, localization, transport and construction, each of which is implementing large-scale works, projects and programs. This is essential for the sustainable development of the mill and determining its future. The investment program plays a special role in the development of any enterprise. We have accumulated extensive experience in implementing such projects in 2016-2024. Our team successfully implements any large-scale projects due to its strength and potential, justifying high trust. Within the framework of the program to increase the production of precious metals, adopted on the initiative of the Head of our state, 24 large-scale investment projects totaling $3 billion have been implemented over the past 8 years. It should be especially noted that by accelerating the implementation of investment projects at the mill, we have achieved the fulfillment of the program designed to 2026, in 2024 – two years ahead of schedule. Also, the plan to increase production by 30% set in the program was fulfilled by 32.2%. Due to the commissioning of new deposits and processing facilities, gold production in 2024 reached 3.10 million ounces, up 5.4 percent compared to 2023. At the same time, the company remains among the lowest cost gold producers, with an All-in sustaining cost (AISC) of US$979 in 2024. THE COST OF GOLD PRODUCTION IS ESTIMATED TO BE US$979 PER OUNCE. These figures are easy to say, but behind them there is a huge and painstaking labor. The cohesion and high professionalism of our engineers and experienced specialists are the basis of our successes. Also a great achievement of our team was the implementation of two major projects by the combine last year – construction of infrastructure facilities of the complex for mining and processing of gold-bearing ores at the Pistali deposit and construction of the third line of the Amudarya-Zarafshan water pipeline with reconstruction of pumping stations.
     Nowadays, it is extremely important for every enterprise to systematically conduct the processes of integration into the global economy. In order to compete with similar enterprises in the world, it is necessary to implement many measures. Strengthening positions in the world market first of all increases the reputation of the enterprise, strengthens its status and ensures transparency of its activities. For this purpose, the company must have international ratings, which determine the company’s position among gold mining enterprises, its place in international ratings and indicators. In recent years, we have also achieved significant results in this direction. For example, in 2024, for the first time the company received an international credit rating from rating agencies S&P Global Ratings and Fitch Ratings, which became the highest rating assigned among Uzbek companies, which made it possible for the first time to issue international corporate bonds in the amount of USD 1 billion and place them on the London Stock Exchange. The first international corporate bonds worth USD 1 billion were issued and placed on the London Stock Exchange. And these developments are our great achievement. In February 2025, the combine received its first corporate ESG rating from international rating agency Sustainable Fitch, becoming the first company in Uzbekistan’s mining industry to receive such a rating. This reflects our company’s leadership in the industry, adherence to the principles of sustainable development, as well as the high level of integration of environmental, social and corporate factors in our operations. The mill also became a member of the International Women in Mining Association as part of its support for gender equality. In addition, CERT International issued our company a certificate of the international standard ISO 37001:2016 for the anti-corruption management system.
     One of the most important tasks facing the company is modernization and digitalization of production processes. Large-scale works are being carried out at the plants and mines in this direction. In particular, at the hydrometallurgical plant№ 3 a pilot project was launched to automate processes using artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. At the Zarmitan deposit, a system for monitoring the location of underground workers and machinery, communication and notification has been implemented, which helps reduce the risk of accidents, improve the efficiency of ore mining management, reduce machinery downtime, normalize speed and prevent possible breakdowns. The mill has implemented a unified information system to monitor compliance with occupational health and safety requirements using intelligent video surveillance (AI), which monitors the use of personal protective equipment in real time. The cameras and AI system monitor the safety of each worker. When dangerous situations are detected, the system automatically sends a signal to the responsible person (via SMS, messenger, email or online notification).
     Artificial intelligence technologies offer great opportunities to improve the efficiency and stability of technological processes at hydrometallurgical plants by enabling the analysis of large volumes of data in real time and predicting the course of technological processes. This, in turn, ensures process stability, optimizes production performance, improves product quality, increases productivity and reduces costs. Artificial intelligence can also be used to monitor the condition of process equipment (crushers, mills, pumps, etc.) and predict possible malfunctions in advance, thus reducing downtime and repair costs, as well as extending the life of the equipment. In short, artificial intelligence technologies are not just modern developments, but a powerful tool that can fundamentally change the operation of hydrometallurgical plants. Their introduction contributes not only to increased efficiency and profitability, but also to the creation of more sustainable and environmentally friendly production.

 

Towards a green economy

 

     According to experts, the rapid development of engineering and technology gives rise to many problems. With the growing population of the Earth, natural resources are decreasing, and the problem of drinking water is becoming a global issue. In this context, scientists propose to actively implement the concept of «green» economy, which is focused on energy saving, reduction of harmful emissions into the atmosphere, use of clean energy transportation, development of alternative energy sources and organic agriculture. This allows to develop the economy without damaging the nature, increase production efficiency by saving natural resources and reduce toxic emissions into the atmosphere. Experts note that one of the key components of the «green» economy for any enterprise is the use of renewable energy sources. And this is an absolutely fair suggestion. Today, the world’s leading and major companies, regardless of the field of activity, pay great attention to the use of «green» energy in the production of their products and direct serious investments to its development. The presence of a mark on the packaging that the products are produced using green energy increases their attractiveness and demand in the market.
     Uzbekistan has a high potential in this sphere. According to experts’ calculations, the annual stock of alternative energy in the country, especially solar energy, is equivalent to 270 million tons of conventional fuel. Large-scale and dynamic work is carried out in this direction in our plant. In accordance with the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated February 16, 2023 «On measures to accelerate the introduction of renewable energy sources and energy-saving technologies in 2023», solar photovoltaic stations with a total capacity of 1450 kW were put into operation at the production facilities of the combine until 2024. By the end of the year, additional stations with a capacity of 5800 kW were commissioned, increasing the total capacity by 5 times. As of today, all administrative buildings of the plant are fully supplied with electricity from solar photovoltaic stations. In January of this year at «Pistali» deposit in Nurata district construction and installation works were completed and a photovoltaic station with a total capacity of more than 2300 kW was put into operation. Thus, the total capacity of solar power plants of the combine reached 9550 kW, as a result of which it is possible to generate up to 14.3 mln kWh of electricity per year. Also, part of the Combine’s demand for electricity is currently covered by a 500 MW wind power plant commissioned in the Tamdynsky District near NMMC’s production facilities. The share of «green» energy use in gold production is growing every year and amounted to 15.2% in 2024. During the visit of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan to Navoi region in November 2024, the Head of State gave a start to more than 15 projects, including the construction of a photovoltaic power plant in Tamdyn district, with the commissioning of which it will be possible to generate up to 1 billion kWh of electricity per year, which will amount to 20% of the annual electricity consumption of the plant. In addition, 4993 solar water heaters (heliocollectors) are installed at the Combine’s facilities, which generate 723,985 liters of hot water daily. Thanks to these installations, during the season (from April to October) all facilities of the Works are 100% supplied with hot water, thus saving 1.7 million cubic meters of natural gas or 11 million 683 thousand kWh of electricity equivalent annually.

 

 

     It is known that among the Central Asian countries Uzbekistan has the largest population, but at the same time the least water resources. Only 18% of water demand is formed on the territory of our country. The rest about 82% comes from neighboring countries and enters Uzbekistan through the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers. As can be seen, water is one of the most serious problems in our country.
     The annual water demand of the plant is 130 million cubic meters, the main part of which, i.e. 81% (105 million cubic meters), comes from the Amu Darya. Vital water is delivered by means of 9 pumping stations of the Amudarya-Zarafshan waterworks to the production facilities and settlements – the towns of Uchkuduk and Zarafshan. In recent years, JSC «NMMC» has been implementing specific projects, scientific developments and measures to save fresh water from underground and surface sources and rational use of water resources. In particular, the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan «On Measures for Sustainable Development of «Navoi Mining and Metallurgical Combine» Joint Stock Company until 2030» defined important goals for the Combine. One of the confirmations of realization of these goals is the investment project «Stretching of the third water line and reconstruction of pumping stations of the Amudarya-Zarafshan water structure for 2018-2024». Water saving measures at the mill’s hydrometallurgical plants have yielded good results: if in 2020 the fresh water consumption for processing one ton of ore was 1.05 cubic meters, by 2024 this indicator was reduced by 15% to 0.92 cubic meters. In addition, the share of secondary water use (process recycled water, quarry and mine water, re-treated wastewater, groundwater with high mineralization) in the production processes of hydrometallurgical plants increased from 16% in 2020 to 25% in 2024. In order to further improve reforms related to water conservation and efficient use, on July 9, 2024, NMMC approved a program on water conservation and rational use for 2024-2030, according to which it is planned to save a total of 36 million cubic meters of fresh water worth 176 billion soums during this period. This will allow providing the population of Zarafshan and Uchkuduk cities with water for almost 3 years.
     The main goal of the program is to reduce fresh water consumption for processing one ton of ore to 0.8 cubic meters by 2030 and to bring the share of recycled, treated and mine water use in production processes to 35-40%, which will reduce water withdrawal from the Amu Darya accordingly.

 

Towards sustainable development

 

     In the conditions of globalization it is necessary to constantly develop and strive for the best. Our specialists understand that sustainable development of the Plant is impossible without digitalization of production and active implementation of artificial intelligence technologies. For this purpose, the Company’s specialists in cooperation with Boston Consulting Group have developed a strategy for the digital transformation of NMMC JSC until 2030. The strategy defines the key areas of the company’s development: introduction of digital technologies in geological exploration, introduction of artificial intelligence-based production process management systems and development of an improved investment program for the company’s development until 2030. In April this year, a unique in engineering terms vertical skip-type shaft with a depth of 1,000 meters was commissioned at the Zarmitan deposit. In the future, its annual production capacity of gold-bearing ore will be 1.4 million tons. In the same year it is planned to realize the next stages of development of Muruntau deposit, as well as the third stages of development of Dovgistau and Kokpatas deposits. Construction and installation works are in full swing to increase the annual processing capacity of process ore to 25 million tons at the hydrometallurgical plant№ 7 and to 10 million tons at the hydrometallurgical plant№ 3.
     Within the framework of the program of sustainable development of the plant until 2030, there are still many tasks to be accomplished. Realizing the scale and responsibility of these tasks, the staff of the enterprise works with full dedication for the sake of further development of economy of New Uzbekistan, production of competitive and quality products in the world market and achievement of high results.

 

 

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