 | Uzbekistan is well-known for its rich mineral and raw material resources. Stocks of gold,
silver and some other rare metals are amongst the largest in the world. The country has
uncovered approximately 100 different minerals concentrated in 2700 deposits. Indeed,
in a number of key minerals such as gold, uranium, copper, natural gas, wolframite, kalium
salts, phosphorites and kaolin, Uzbekistan claims a leading place both within the CIS and
throughout the world on confirmed reserves and prospected ores. In gold reserves alone
the country takes 4th place and by extraction, 7th place. For copper, 10-11th, Uranium,
7-8th and by extraction, 11-12th place.
Official sources report foreign estimates of the overall mineral stock potential to have a
value in the region of US$3.3 trillion. Annually, the country extracts minerals to a value of
approximately US$5.5 billion and new reserves of US$6.0-7.0 billion added. Existing
minerals reserves not only provide active mines with a long term future, but also allow for
an increase in capacity. More than 440 mines and quarries are currently active in
exploiting these reserves.
Given these available resources the industry is accorded a major role as a source of
employment and currency earner within the national economy. |