Uzbekistan plans to implement a total of 32 AI and digitalization projects in the mining sector by 2030

Uzbekistan plans to significantly expand the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies in the mining and geological sectors in order to attract $30 billion in investment by 2030 and boost the industry’s efficiency.

According to the press service of the Presidential Administration, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev was briefed on a package of measures designed to accelerate the introduction of digital technologies and AI-based solutions in geological exploration and mining.

In 2025, the mining and geological sector accounted for about one-fifth of Uzbekistan’s total industrial output and generated state revenues of 118.5 trillion UZS ($9.8 billion).

The country’s major mining companies were able to reduce their operating costs by 7.3 trillion UZS last year, while production costs fell by 9.1%.

In addition, the geomonitoring information system was introduced, and data on more than 2,000 mineral deposits were digitized.

The government plans to significantly expand known mineral reserves over the next five years. The goal is to add 879 tons of gold, 510 tons of silver, and 676,000 tons of copper to reserves.

AI to Accelerate Exploration and Production

According to the authorities, artificial intelligence can accelerate the analysis of geological data, improve the evaluation of deposits, and increase the efficiency of exploration and drilling operations.

Mirziyoyev called for the development of an advanced system for managing and analyzing production processes based on AI. The growing volumes of geological and operational data should be consolidated on a unified digital platform.

Government officials explained that integrating maps, geological surveys, drilling logs, laboratory analyses, and production data into a central electronic database would enable faster search processes, more precise 3D modeling, and more accurate identification of mineral deposits.

According to official estimates, this approach could reduce production costs by up to 10%, cut the time required to discover new deposits in half, and quadruple the number of potential investment projects.

A central element of the strategy is the creation of a national geological database. This is intended to increase transparency and provide investors with easier access to reliable geological information. As part of the project, more than 36,000 existing reports and primary data sets are to be digitized.

In addition, plans are in place to establish a Center for Technological Transformation to coordinate and oversee the implementation of digitization measures. According to government estimates, this could double the quality and speed of geological data collection. The modeling of deposits and the calculation of reserves are also expected to be twice as fast in the future.

32 Digitization Projects Planned by 2030

Between 2026 and 2030, a total of 32 digitization and AI projects are to be implemented in six major state-owned mining and metallurgical companies. These include the Navoi Mining and Metallurgical Company, the Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Complex, Navoiyuran, Uzmetkombinat, Uzbekcoal, and the Uzbekistan Technological Metals Complex.

The projects focus on the automation of production processes, digital enterprise management, the use of artificial intelligence, the improvement of workplace safety, and the digital transformation of geological exploration.

According to government estimates, the program could increase operational efficiency by 7%, equipment reliability by 20%, and energy efficiency by 8%. At the same time, human errors and operational risks are expected to be reduced by 15%.

Mirziyoyev instructed the relevant authorities to incorporate specific productivity and efficiency targets into the business plans of mining companies and to adopt special programs for technology and AI investments.

The president also emphasized the importance of intellectual property protection and called for increased patent applications for domestically developed digital solutions and technologies.