Tag Archives: Uzbekistan

FLSmidth and Enter Engineering to work on MOF-4 copper-gold-molybdenum concentrator

Base metals, Comminution of minerals, Mineral processing, Mineral project development, Mining services, , , , ,

Building upon a long-standing relationship, FLSmidth and Enter Engineering have signed a strategic cooperation agreement for the delivery of the core mineral processing equipment for the MOF-4 copper-gold-molybdenum concentrator, which is being constructed in Almalyk, in the Tashkent region of Uzbekistan.

Once completed, the plant is expected to become one of the largest copper concentrators in the world.

The cooperation agreement covers individual equipment and project service delivery orders, including basic engineering. The combined value of these orders could potentially amount to approximately DKK1.5 billion ($217.5 million) over the next several years, FLS says.

A key requirement for Enter Engineering has been to collaborate with a strategic partner that can supply the most efficient process technologies and aftermarket services with the lowest environmental impact across the full mineral processing flowsheet, leading them to the choice of FLSmidth, the OEM says.

Under the agreement, FLSmidth’s expected deliveries include high-pressure grinding rolls, screens, copper and molybdenum flotation, vertical re-grind mills, concentrate and tailing thickeners, concentrate filters, gravity concentrators, samplers as well as pumps, cyclones and valves. The execution of the individual orders will be led by FLSmidth’s Global Product & Technology Centre in Salt Lake City, USA, with the support of localised resources and services.

Mikko Keto, CEO at FLSmidth, said: “Uzbekistan is undergoing a rapid economic development, and its mining industry plays a pivotal role in this. We are very excited to support the country’s continued development through our collaboration with Enter Engineering and Almalyk MMC on the development of this new copper concentrator production line. Being chosen as the key strategic partner is a clear testament to the strength of our full flowsheet offerings and to our proven global execution capabilities.”

Navoi Mining to implement major solar power plan at operations

Environmental, Power supply for mines, Precious metals, , , ,

The Navoi Mining and Metallurgical Company, a major gold producer, is implementing a three-year roadmap toward the expanded use of renewable energy to power its operations, it says.

The $450 million program is in line with efforts by the government of Uzbekistan to boost the share of renewable energy to 40% of the country’s total power generation by the year 2030.

In the first half of 2024, NMMC installed photovoltaic panels across 21 major industrial sites with a total capacity of 5,750 kW, enabling the annual generation of up to 9.7 million kWh. The company is further advancing its renewable energy program through the construction of a 500 MW solar power facility near its operations in the Tomdi district of Navoi region, set to be completed in two phases:

  • Phase 1, with a capacity of 220 MW and annual power generation of 374 million kWh is scheduled to be launched in the December quarter of this year; and
  • Phase 2, with a 280 MW capacity and annual generation of 476 million kWh, will be completed in the December quarter of 2025.

The renewable energy investment program, including the launch of the solar power station, will enable total generation of about one billion kWh of per year, or 21.4% of the company’s annual consumption.

This year’s progress follows the installation of 1,200 kW of solar panels in 2023, including 1,000 kW at the Navoi Machine-Building Plant, 100 kW at the Kyzylkum mining department and 100 kW at corporate headquarters. These solar arrays can produce a total of 2.465 million kWh per annum.

In addition to power generation, NMMC is harnessing the sun’s energy to heat water, thereby reducing consumption from other energy sources. With the aid of 4,993 solar water heaters, the company can fully supply its hot water needs during the summer months, conserving an estimated 1.7 million cu.m of natural gas per year, the company says.

Eugeny Antonov, First Deputy CEO for Transformation at NMMC, said: “NMMC is committed to sustainable development and to doing its part to contribute to the global transition to renewable sources of energy. By investing in renewable energy now, we have an opportunity to lower operating costs over the long term and to reduce pollution, while also ensuring a greener future for our communities.”

Almalyk MMC

Metso and Almalyk MMC sign technology agreement for new copper smelter

Base metals, Mining equipment, Mining services, Sustainable mining, , , , , ,

Metso and JSC Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical company (Almalyk MMC) have signed a frame agreement on significant process technology deliveries for Almalyk MMC’s new copper smelter investment in Uzbekistan.

The companies have collaborated on the development of minerals processing and metallurgical operations since 2011, Metso says.

Equipment package contracts under the framework agreement will be booked once they have been signed and become effective. Metso says it estimates that the majority of those contracts will be signed this year. The frame agreement is a continuation of Metso’s and Almalyk MMC’s contract signed at the end of 2022 for the design and basic engineering work for the copper smelter.

The planned production capacity of the new copper smelter, which will be integrated with the company’s existing operations in Almalyk, is 300,000 t/y of copper cathodes and 1.8 Mt/y of sulphuric acid.

“We are very pleased to be selected as the strategic partner for Almalyk MMC’s smelter project,” Piia Karhu, President of Metso’s Metals business area, said. “Metso will provide Almalyk MMC with the most advanced sustainable Planet Positive technology for their copper refining processes.”

Almalyk MMC is the main copper producer in Uzbekistan. The company produces refined copper, gold, silver, zinc, molybdenum, lead concentrate and other products.

Metso Outotec to deliver two sulphuric acid plants to Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Company

Base metals, Mineral processing, Mining equipment, Sustainable mining, , , , , , ,

Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Company (AMMC) has awarded Metso Outotec an order worth €70 million ($74 million) for the delivery of two sulphuric acid plants to be built for its zinc roasting facility in Almalyk, Uzbekistan.

Metso Outotec’s scope of delivery includes the design and delivery of Planet Positive equipment for two gas cleaning and sulphuric acid plants, which will process all off-gases from the zinc roasters into industrial-grade sulphuric acid, Metso Outotec says. In addition, Metso Outotec will deliver utility facilities, such as a common cooling tower system and a common air compressor system.

The two plants to be delivered by Metso Outotec will be identical and replace AMMC’s existing facilities for gas cleaning and sulphuric acid production, it said. The plants will improve operational efficiency and reliability and significantly reduce the facilities’ environmental impact, the company added, with the plants expected to be operational by the end of the second half of 2025.

Hannes Storch, Vice President, Metal and Chemical Processing at Metso Outotec, said: “We are extremely pleased that Almalyk has again selected us as the partner for providing gas cleaning and sulphuric acid technology. Metso Outotec’s advanced Planet Positive gas cleaning and sulphuric acid plant solution will improve the environmental performance of AMMC’s metallurgical operations.”

Wood set to engineer world’s largest copper concentrator in Uzbekistan

Base metals, Comminution of minerals, Mining equipment, Mining services, , , , ,

Wood, the global consulting and engineering company, has secured two new contracts from Enter Engineering with a combined value of over $200 million, to deliver major capital investment projects in Uzbekistan.

The first will see Wood’s Projects business deliver the full engineering scope, including front-end engineering design (FEED) and detailed design for a world-class mineral processing plant. The MOF-3 copper-concentration complex, in the city of Almalyk, will also require Wood’s technical assistance during the procurement, construction, commissioning and start-up stages to deliver the world’s largest copper concentrator, Wood says.

Back in June, Metso Outotec announced it had signed a contract to deliver key process technology to the MOF3 copper-gold-molybdenum concentrator complex, owned by Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Company.

Wood will also provide detailed engineering and procurement assistance services to build a new methanol-to-olefin-based gas-chemical complex, located in the Bukhara region.

Giuseppe Zuccaro, President of Process & Chemicals at Wood, said: “These projects mark a significant and strategic investment in Uzbekistan as the country accelerates its economic diversification plan, satisfying the needs of its domestic industries while also meeting the world’s surging demand for special petrochemical products and energy transition materials.

“Our extensive experience in delivering complex mining and petrochemical projects of scale and our proven ability to operate a global execution model continue to position us as the ideal technical partner. We’re delighted to build on our strong relationship with Enter Engineering and look forward to working closely to achieve the full value of the investment in these world-class projects.”

At peak, the MOF-3 and MTO projects will each require the support of over 400 colleagues from across Wood offices, including Chennai, Johannesburg, Madrid, Milan, Santiago, Singapore and Woking, in addition to Wood’s newly established office in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Enter Engineering, thyssenkrupp to tackle Tebinbulak iron ore deposit in Uzbekistan

Comminution of minerals, Mineral processing, Mineral project development, Mining equipment, Mining services, Steel and iron ore, Sustainable mining, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Enter Engineering and thyssenkrupp AG have signed an Agreement of Intent that could see the engineering procurement and construction (EPC) contractor take the exclusive role as construction partner in building an integrated mining metallurgical complex at the Tebinbulak iron ore deposit in Uzbekistan.

The pact, worth €50 million ($58 million), comes on top of a signed agreement for the start of preparatory work on the project, including a contract for the supply of equipment, its design, supervision during installation and commissioning at the facility.

The high pressure grinding roll (HPGR) technology will be used to help process up to 60 Mt/y of iron ore, according to the EPC firm.

The implementation period for Enter Engineering’s construction role is two years with the plant launch anticipated for September 2023.

Bakhtiyor Fazylov, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Enter Engineering, said: “We are delighted to partner with a leading global company such as thyssenkrupp. Applying German standards, we will create a high-quality raw material base for the domestic metallurgical industry. This project also embodies all the goals Enter Engineering strives for: protecting Uzbekistan’s national interests in the international market, supporting the interests of domestic consumers and creating jobs.”

Reza Poorvash, CEO thyssenkrupp Mining Technologies Europe and Asia, said: “To date, more than 140 units of HPGR equipment have been sold in the mining industry. In the CIS countries, thyssenkrupp takes a leading position among mining companies that use this technology, in practice confirming the high quality and reliability of the German brand.”

Roman Karl, Managing Director thyssenkrupp Mining Technologies CIS, added: “We are delighted to partner with such a well-known company in Uzbekistan as Enter Engineering, who have a long track record of successful execution in major engineering construction projects.

“The project will use one of the most energy efficient and innovative technologies to significantly reduce energy consumption. HPGR has been used since 1985 in the cement industry, and since 1986 in the mining industry for use in the grinding process to ensure a high level of product fineness. Full integration of this technology within Industry 4.0 is also important.”

The Tebinbulak complex is significant for Uzbekistan because of its multiplier effect. As well as creating new jobs in remote areas, it will help develop domestic iron ore to provide the country’s existing metallurgical complexes with raw materials. It will also support development of infrastructure, creation of service enterprises and an increase in trade between countries.

Tebinbulak is located in the Karauzyak district of Karakalpakstan, in the north-west part of Uzbekistan. The field covers 5.2 sq.km and comes with a predicted mine life of 27 years.

Cooperation between Enter Engineering and thyssenkrupp is supported at a high inter-governmental level, with the agreement signing ceremony attended by Alisher Sultanov, Uzbekistan’s Minister of Energy.

Robit top hammer and DTH consumables to go to Uzbekistan’s NMMC

Energy minerals, Mine operation news, Mining consumables, Mining services, Precious metals, , , , , , , ,

Robit says it has signed a contract with its partner to supply drilling consumables to several mine sites in Uzbekistan, including those operated by state-owned Navoi Mining and Metallurgy Combinat (NMMC).

The Robit Top Hammer and Down the Hole drilling consumables will be delivered during 2020 in several shipments, according to the company. The news follows a recent contract award to supply drilling tools to Norilsk Nickel, in Norilsk, Russia.

The consumables will be used among others by NMMC in its underground and surface mines in the Navoi and Samarkand regions of Uzbekistan.

NMMC’s underground operations include Zarmitan, Gujumsay as well as Karakutan. Its notable open-pit mines include Muruntau (one of the largest open pit gold mines in the world, pictured), Uchkuduk and Amantai. It is a significant gold and uranium miner in Uzbekistan.

Tenova TAKRAF proves dry stack tailings credentials at Uzbekistan gold mine

Bulk handling, Environmental, Mine operation news, Mining equipment, Precious metals, Sustainable mining, Water management, , , , , , , ,

Tenova TAKRAF says it recently installed three DELKOR overhead filter presses at a gold mine’s processing plant in Uzbekistan as part of its wider tailings dewatering system.

The system comprises three DELKOR overhead filter presses each processing around 120 m3/h of gold tailings. Each machine contains 177 mixed membrane filter plates with a size of 2 m x 2 m, and includes a high-pressure cloth washing system.

These filter presses form an important part of Tenova TAKRAF’s complete Dry Stack Tailings (DST) technologies solution, which covers processes from sedimentation to filtration and material handling, the company said.

The supply also included several pieces of ancillary equipment, including belt conveyors for cakes discharged from the filter press (each machine is equipped with a cake breaker), pumping skids for membrane inflation, filter cake washing pumps and high-pressure cloth washing pumps.

“The entire scope of supply, including the slurry feed pumps, is fully controlled and managed by state-of-the-art software,” the company said.

It added: “The complexity of the dewatering process required by this project clearly highlights DELKOR’s filter press potential across the dewatering spectrum. In fact, the filter press cycle includes filter cake squeezing, filter cake washing and filter cake air blowing, with the filter cakes washed with process water in order to remove unwanted residual cyanides from the dewatered cakes.

“Importantly, the required residual moisture content within the dewatered cakes was achieved immediately during start-up.”

Marco Zeni, Tenova DELKOR Project Manager, said: “Notwithstanding demanding site conditions, installation and commissioning, together with the required operational training, was successfully completed. With this project, we take another important step towards firmly establishing DELKOR also as a provider of filter presses to round up the filtration product portfolio and once again demonstrating that: it pays to talk to a specialist.”

thyssenkrupp to help build new Uzbekistan chemical complex, Ferkensco says

Energy minerals, Industrial minerals, Mineral processing, Mining equipment, Mining services, , , , , , , ,

A new chemical complex aimed at increasing the production of fertilisers in Uzbekistan is to be built, with help from thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions, lead investor Ferkensco Management Ltd reports.

The construction of the new facility is in line with the Presidential Decree of April 3, 2019 on reforms in the chemical industry and making it more attractive for foreign investment, and The Presidential Decree of February 1, 2019 on the development of cooperation between the Republic of Uzbekistan and Germany, according to Ferkensco.

It is expected that the new complex will be built in the Samarkand region (pictured), on territory owned by JSC Samarkandkimyo, and that potential output at the complex will include ammonium sulphate, urea, melamine and phosphorous-based fertilisers, with the output to be used domestically, but with the option for increased exports.

“The Presidential Initiatives support increased synergies between the oil and gas and agriculture sectors, and the use of a specific quality of domestic gas for fertiliser production,” Ferkensco said, adding: “The petrochemical industry and fertilisers have an important role to play in growing Uzbekistan’s economy in the upcoming years.”

IFG gets hands on tungsten metal cluster in Uzbekistan

Base metals, Mineral exploration, Mineral processing, Mineral project development, Mining finance, Mining project news, Steel and iron ore, , , ,

IFG Metals & Mining has built on its existing relationship with Uzbekistan’s geology and mineral resources committee and signed an agreement giving it exclusive rights to carry out feasibility studies and, if proven successful, exploit seven tungsten deposits in Uzbekistan.

The aim of the $300 million long-term investment is to create a cluster for tungsten production and processing, according to IFG, a division of Central Asia focused advisory and investment company IFG Capital Partners.

Back in July, IFG and the State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Geology and Mineral Resources (Goscomgeology) signed a pact to carry out a feasibility study on developing the Yakhton tungsten deposit in the Samarkand region of the country.

IFG says its latest investment over the 25-30 year working lie of the cluster is the largest such foreign investment in Uzbekistan’s mining industry since the end of the Soviet Union.

As part of the agreement, IFG will develop the tungsten cluster and be the leading principal investor in the project. Sun Group, which is active in India, Russia, West Africa and other emerging markets, has agreed to co-invest with IFG in the exploration and development of the tungsten cluster, subject to further due diligence.

As a result, IFG, Goscomgeology and Sun Group on September 28 signed an agreement on joint development of seven tungsten deposits in Uzbekistan during the Indian-Uzbek Business Forum held as part of the official visit of Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to India.

IFG intends to conduct a feasibility analysis into the exploration and development of the Ingichke, Gussay, Sarykul, Kara-Tyube, Lyangar and Koytash tungsten deposits, with the purpose of processing ore into concentrate. The Yakhton deposit will also become part of the cluster. Should the studies produce positive results, IFG has the exclusive rights to manage the industrial development of the deposits.

Olga Ponkratova, Managing Partner of IFG and head of IFG Metals and Mining, said growing shortfalls between global supply and demand have recently driven the tungsten price to its highest levels since September 2014, noting there is a growing expectation stronger pricing levels will continue for some time.

“This favorable market environment, coupled by the strong support that we have received from the government, makes this project possible,” he said.

Preliminary geological research indicates there is around 130,000 t of tungsten oxide in the seven deposits with the average grade coming in higher than comparable projects, according to IFG. The company plans to build two mobile processing factories to process ore and export 100% of produced tungsten to North America and the EU.

IFG is drilling verification boreholes at each deposit to verify existing historical reserves and confirm past  exploration data in accordance with international JORC standards. The first samples from the Yakhton deposit have already been sent abroad for metallurgical testing with results expected later this year.