Uzbekistan wants to turn its underground wealth into a $2.7 billion industry by 2030.
Uzbekistan wants to turn its underground wealth into a $2.7 billion industry by 2030.
The government plans to raise the value of production of 16 types of critical minerals to $2.7 billion over the next three years. The Uzbek Technological Metals Complex will start producing 11 additional mineral products as part of the push.
Critical minerals, the metals used in batteries, electronics and defence systems, have become one of the most contested commodities in the world, with the US, China and the EU all scrambling for secure supplies.
Tashkent is betting that its deposits can buy it a seat at that table, and a new source of export income beyond cotton, gas and gold.
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