President Mirziyoyev Reviews AI-Driven Digital Transformation Plans for Mining and Geology Sector

Tashkent, The Gulf Observer: President Shavkat Mirziyoyev was briefed on a comprehensive strategy to expand the adoption of digital solutions and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies across Uzbekistan’s mining and geology sector, aimed at enhancing efficiency, attracting investment, and ensuring sustainable management of natural resources.

During the presentation, officials highlighted the strategic importance of the mining and geology industry, which accounted for 20 percent of the country’s total industrial output and generated 118.5 trillion Uzbek soums (UZS) in budget revenue in 2025.

The briefing underscored the growing global emphasis on sustainable development and digital geology, noting that Uzbekistan has already made significant progress in modernizing the sector. Major mining enterprises reduced operating expenses by 7.3 trillion UZS during 2025, while production costs declined by 9.1 percent. Authorities have also launched the Geomonitoring information system and digitized data related to more than 2,000 mineral deposits.

Officials informed the president that efforts are underway to expand the country’s mineral reserves over the next five years, including the addition of 879 tons of gold, 510 tons of silver, and 676,000 tons of copper reserves.

The presentation emphasized the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in geological exploration, including rapid analysis of geological data, prediction of mineral deposits, accurate reserve assessments, and improved drilling efficiency. AI-based technologies are planned for implementation throughout all stages of the exploration process.

President Mirziyoyev stressed the importance of elevating the sector’s technological transformation and establishing an AI-powered system for managing and analyzing production processes. He noted that consolidating geological maps, survey results, drilling records, laboratory analyses, and production indicators into a unified digital platform would significantly improve exploration capabilities through advanced data analysis and 3D modeling.

According to officials, these measures could reduce production costs by 10 percent, cut the time required to identify new deposits by half, and increase the number of investment proposals fourfold.

The briefing also outlined plans to attract $30 billion in investment to the geology and mining sector by 2030. To support this objective, authorities proposed the creation of a National Geological Database designed to meet international investor requirements through the provision of high-quality and reliable geological information.

As part of the initiative, a Center for Technological Transformation will be established, while more than 36,000 existing reports and primary geological datasets will be digitized. The project is expected to double the speed and quality of geological data generation and accelerate deposit modeling and reserve estimation processes.

Officials further presented plans to implement 44 digitalization and AI projects between 2026 and 2030 across six major enterprises, including Navoi Mining and Metallurgical Company, Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Company, Navoiuran, Uzmetkombinat, Uzbekcoal, and the Uzbekistan Technological Metals Complex.

The projects will focus on five key areas: automation of production processes, digitalization of corporate governance, introduction of artificial intelligence technologies, enhancement of labor and industrial safety, and digital transformation of geological exploration activities.

Implementation of the initiatives is expected to increase operational efficiency by 7 percent, improve machinery and equipment reliability by 20 percent, enhance energy efficiency by 8 percent, and reduce human-factor-related errors and risks by 15 percent.

The president was also informed that innovative technological solutions developed under the program would be patented. He instructed responsible officials to incorporate measures aimed at improving production and labor efficiency into mining enterprise business plans and to adopt dedicated programs for technology and artificial intelligence projects across the sector.