On 16 June 2019, the business delegation from the Kingdom of the Netherlands headed by Nico Schermers, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Netherlands to the Republic of Uzbekistan, visited Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Complex.

The delegation included the representatives of the leading Dutch companies and the reputable organizations working in the fields of critical raw materials, logistics, digitalization, and high technology.

During the visit, the foreign guests toured the AMMC largest production facilities, including the viewing platforms of the “Qalmaqir” and “Yoshlik I” mines, as well as Copper Processing Plant No. 3.

The delegation also expressed great interest in the museum of AMMC, located in the “Metallurg” Palace of Culture, where they were able to learn about the history of the enterprise formation and development.

The delegation members were given a detailed overview of the raw materials extraction and processing processes, modernization programs, and key strategic investment projects of the Complex.

During negotiations with the AMMC management, the parties discussed the prospects for cooperation in the extraction of critical minerals, rare and rare-earth elements, and the development of deep copper processing to produce high-value-added products. The foreign partners expressed particular interest in the mineral resource base of the Complex and its promising projects.

Special attention was paid to expanding exports of finished products to European Union markets.

The delegation noted that diversifying supply chains for critical raw materials is currently of particular importance to EU countries. In this regard, the AMMC's potential for producing copper, molybdenum, and other strategically important metals was highly praised by its Dutch partners.

The meeting also addressed the development of transport corridors linking Central Asia and Europe. The representatives from the world-renowned Port of Rotterdam, who were part of the delegation, expressed significant interest in new logistics solutions capable of ensuring the safe and prompt delivery of strategic raw materials and finished products to European markets.

Summarizing the visit, Dutch Ambassador Nico Schermers praised the scale of the investment programs being implemented at AMMC and the ongoing work to modernize production.

Following the negotiations, both parties confirmed their interest in further developing cooperation in the field of critical minerals, implementing joint investment projects, strengthening technological partnerships, and continuing a systematic dialogue on entering European markets.

Information Service