Uzbekistan plans to by 2030 raise its annual production of copper 3.5 times to 500,000 tonnes, while also boosting gold production by 1.5 times to 155 tonnes, silver output by three times to 500 tonnes and uranium production by three times to 10,000 tonnes.

On the road, campaigning for re-election, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev headed for Navoi region on June 21, where he divulged the targets and outlined some socio-economic initiatives.

Among his announcements were plans to implement 19 projects worth $3.8bn at Navoi Mining and Metallurgical Combine (NMMC). In particular, due to the implementation of 11 projects worth $550mn in Navoiuran, uranium reserves wouldto be expanded from 67,000 tonnes to 100,000 tonnes.

Mirziyoyev also noted that raw materials such as lithium and graphite were being produced in Uzbekistan for the first time.

Other announced plans will see 46 enterprises set up at a cost of $10bn in the mineral cluster vicinities of copper in Akhangaran and ferrous metals in Bekabad and the agricultural machinery hub in Chirchik.

In the next seven years, moreover, UZS 10 trillion (around $900mn) is to be allocated from the state budget for mineral exploration work across an area of 60,000 square kilometres. For these purposes, Uzbekistan also hopes to add $2bn in FDI raised from Canada, France, Austria, Japan, China, Turkey and the UAE.

"We will also expand the provision of access to strategic mineral deposits to local entrepreneurs. In this regard, 500 permits for the extraction of gold, silver, tungsten, coal and ore will be issued this year," Mirziyoyev said.