Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) – Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Combine (AGMK) plans to complete the construction of the largest copper processing plant in the CIS countries by the end of 2023, Oleg Staroverov, director of the Directorate of the Construction Factory, said during a press conference today.

According to him, the use of new technologies will allow to process 60 million tonnes of ore per year at the new plant. In particular, fully automated complexes will be used here; the installation of a unique roller press technology (HPGR) is planned.

“These technologies are now used by industry leaders in the United States, Chile and Peru. We carefully studied their experience. Among the CIS countries, the closest in terms of performance will be Russia, where there are factories with a capacity of 40 million tonnes. In the future, Uzbekistan will be able to get ahead of these countries for ore processing. For this, in parallel with the construction of a new production facility, the issue of providing it with the necessary raw materials through the development of the Yoshlik-1 field is being resolved,” said Staroverov.

The feasibility study of the project is being developed by the Russian TOMS Research and Design Institute. It is planned that the factory will use modern technologies and equipment that will minimize environmental impact, as well as improve energy efficiency. Suppliers of equipment and technology will be the world's leading manufacturers.

“We plan that the Russian side by the end of November will present us the technology for consideration in the new factory. Today, laboratory work and ore studies are underway to select the most optimal technology. At the next stage, tenders will be announced for the supply of various equipment,” the source said.

The Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Combine is the only copper producer in Uzbekistan. The company produces refined copper, metallic zinc, molybdenum, lead concentrate and other products. The AMMC accounts for about 90% of silver production and 20% of gold in the republic. Since August 2018, the state share in the enterprise was transferred to the trust management of the foreign company SFI Management Group.