The Republic of Uzbekistan is celebrating the 35^th anniversary of its state independence with particular enthusiasm, under the motto: "As one Motherland, as one people, we will build a new life, a new future!"

This significant date has become a time to reflect on the accomplishments and celebrate new achievements for the team at the Copper Processing Plant, one of the key divisions of Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Complex. Founded in 1961, the plant celebrates its 65^th anniversary this year.

In recent years, the large-scale modernization and technical upgrade program has been consistently implemented. The key priorities have been increasing production volumes, reducing costs, and implementing modern technologies. Particularly significant results have been achieved since 2018. Thanks to improved technological processes, ore processing volume has increased from 36 to 39.3 million tons, and copper recovery from raw materials has increased from 75% to 85%. These transformations enabled the plant's team to successfully achieve key production targets for the first half of this year.

For example, the six-month forecast for molybdenum supply from molybdenum middlings was completed at 354.6 tons. One of the plant's most important strategic obligations –shipment of copper concentrate to the smelter – was also fulfilled. The forecast for this indicator was met by 104.3%.

These results were made possible by the timely implementation of modernization and upgrades to production capacity outlined in the 2025–2026 program. In particular, 13 of the 23 mills in the grinding section are equipped with modern automated pump-hydrocyclone systems. In early 2026, the technological upgrade of mills No. 14 and No. 21 was fully completed.

This year, 9 aspiration systems, 25 cooling units, and 48 deflectors were installed in the copper-molybdenum concentrate selection and drying shop. The modernization not only created safer and more comfortable working conditions but also resulted in energy savings of an average of 75 kWh, amounting to over 650 million UZS annually.

The plant's priority areas remain the digitalization of production processes, improving energy efficiency, and supporting employee engineering and innovation initiatives. The implemented innovations deserve special attention. For example, the implementation of a process water conservation project allows for the annual conservation of over 1,819,000 cubic meters of water and savings of 1.355 billion UZS. The proposal to modernize the ball mill nozzle also provided a significant economic benefit – up to 8-10 billion UZS annually.

In total, the factory employees developed and implemented 12 rationalization proposals aimed at increasing energy efficiency and reducing production costs. Thanks to the complete digitalization of processes, the system for their comprehensive visualization has been created, and all the key parameters are displayed in real time on the monitors of the control room.

In accordance with the approved roadmap, it is planned to install 29 more centrifugal concentrators at the plant in the future, which will allow the full implementation of gravity enrichment technology.

The main wealth of our company is its highly qualified, dedicated employees. During the years of independence, from 1991 to the present, 14 factory workers have been awarded high state awards. Among them are the holders of the “Mehnat Shuhrati” order Natalya Luzgina and Nemat Toshpulatov, the “Dustlik” order – Jebar Seitov, Oleg Staroverov and Abdukhalil Mamadaliev, as well as the holders of the “Shuhrat” medal Gennady Gaponov, Kurbonali Makhsimov, Khurinisa Saidirakhimova, Urazali Yuldashev, Bakhodir Hoshimov and Zohid Kosimov. Their many years of conscientious work are a worthy example for the younger generation.

The factory achieves success not only in production activities, but also in sports, intellectual and creative competitions. We are rightfully proud of the champion of Uzbekistan and Asia in taekwondo Akrom Mamayusupov, the champion of the republic in checkers Sardor Safarov, the winner of the kurash competition Olimjon Ortikov, the champion of Uzbekistan in table tennis Dildora Erkinova, as well as the winner of the “Kelajak Bunyodkori” medal Ozoda Yunusova, who took second place in Republican stage of the “Zukko Kitobkhon” competition.

The team of the Copper Processing Plant is rightfully proud of its contribution to strengthening the economic potential of our country.

On behalf of the entire staff of the enterprise, I sincerely congratulate all compatriots on the 35^th anniversary of Independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan! I wish everyone good health, family well-being, peace, prosperity and new achievements in work.

Ravshan Sidikov

Director of the Copper Processing Plant