Over the past four years, coal production in Uzbekistan has increased by more than one and a half times, Podrobno.uz reports.
According to the Ministry of Mining and Geological Industry of Uzbekistan, in 2019, coal production reached 3.8 million tons, while in 2023, it reached 5.83 million tons.
The growth in coal production, despite its environmental impact, is intended to partially offset the decline in oil and gas extraction levels.
In the fall of 2023, a new coal deposit with a volume of 11 million tons was discovered in the upper part of the Tupolang Reservoir in the Saryasiy district of Surkhandarya.
Moreover, during a meeting in May 2023, President Mirziyoyev noted that coal production in Uzbekistan is planned to increase from 5.3 million to 6.5 million tons. To achieve this, a credit of $80 million was planned to be allocated to the Angren coal mine, and the first phase of the Shargunkumir mine was scheduled to be put into operation. Additionally, 14 coal mines were supposed to be transferred to private entrepreneurs for development.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
January 5, 2024