Uzbekistan has plans to roll out artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies across its mining and geology sector as it seeks to attract $30bn in investment by 2030 and improve operational efficiency.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev was briefed on a package of measures aimed at accelerating the adoption of digital technologies and AI-driven solutions in mining and geological exploration, according to the presidential press service.

In 2025, the mining and geology sector made up one-fifth of industrial output and generated UZS 118.5 trillion ($9.8bn) in state revenues.

Major mining companies reduced operating expenses by UZS 7.3 trillion last year, while production costs fell by 9.1%. 

Authorities have also launched the Geomonitoring information system and digitised data on more than 2,000 mineral deposits.

The government is targeting significant additions to the country's mineral reserves over the next five years, including 879 tonnes of gold, 510 tonnes of silver and 676,000 tonnes of copper.

Authorities believe AI can accelerate the analysis of geological data, improve reserve assessments and increase the efficiency of drilling operations.

Mirziyoyev called for a more advanced system for managing and analysing production processes based on AI, arguing that the sector's growing volumes of geological and operational data should be consolidated into a unified digital platform.

Officials noted that integrating maps, geological surveys, drilling records, laboratory analyses and production indicators into a single electronic database would allow for faster searches, 3D modelling and more accurate identification of mineral resources. 

The approach could reduce production costs by 10%, cut the time required to identify new deposits by half and increase the number of investment proposals fourfold.

A key element of the plan is the creation of a National Geological Database designed to improve transparency and provide investors with easier access to reliable geological information. More than 36,000 existing reports and primary datasets are expected to be digitised as part of the initiative.

Authorities also plan to establish a Centre for Technological Transformation to oversee the process. Officials estimate that the quality and speed of geological data generation will double, while deposit modelling and reserve estimation processes will become twice as fast.

The government has outlined 32 digitisation and AI projects to be implemented between 2026 and 2030 across six major state-owned mining and metallurgical enterprises, including Navoi Mining and Metallurgical Company, Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Complex, Navoiyuran, Uzmetkombinat, Uzbekcoal and Uzbekistan Technological Metals Complex.

The projects will focus on production automation, digital corporate governance, artificial intelligence deployment, workplace safety and the digital transformation of geological exploration.

According to government estimates, the programme could raise operational efficiency by 7%, improve equipment reliability by 20% and increase energy efficiency by 8%. Human-factor-related errors and operational risks are projected to decline by 15%.

Mirziyoyev instructed officials to incorporate productivity and labour-efficiency targets into mining companies' business plans and to adopt dedicated programmes for technology and AI projects. 

He also stressed the importance of securing patents for domestically developed digital solutions.