This year, the entire country is widely celebrating a glorious anniversary – the 35th anniversary of the state independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan. In anticipation of this significant date, the path taken by one of the most promising and strategically important divisions of JSC “Almalyk MMC”, the Khandiza Mine Administration, deserves special attention, and the production successes it has achieved over the years of independence. This is a shining example of the opportunities independence has opened up for us.

Looking back at the company's history, the legal basis for the construction of a large industrial complex here was Decree No. 442 of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated 10 August 2006, "On the Efficient Use of the Mineral Resource Base of the Polymetallic Ores of the “Khandiza” and “Uchkulach” Deposits." Pursuant to this document, in 2007, Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Complex began construction of the new mining and processing facility. Thanks to the dedicated work of the construction workers and engineers, the work was completed in record time: in December 2010, the processing plant was fully commissioned, and the first batch of zinc concentrate obtained from the mined polymetallic ore was sent for processing to the Almalyk Zinc Plant. Thus, in December 2010, for the first time in the history of independent Uzbekistan, domestic zinc metal was produced.

The Khandiza Mine Administration traces its history back to May 2011, when it was officially opened as a new structural division of the Complex. Since then, the enterprise’s production chain has undergone a consistent period of modernization. During the large-scale reconstruction and technical upgrade, a cleaning flotation complex, 11 pneumatic-mechanical flotation machines with a capacity of 3.2 cubic meters and four machines with a capacity of 16 cubic meters, as well as new thickening tanks, were installed at the plant. These high-tech solutions allowed for the expansion of copper flotation capacity, the prevention of metal losses through thickener overflows, and overall improved production efficiency.

Thanks to a streamlined process chain, the grade of useful components in the tailings was significantly reduced: zinc recovery increased from an average of 69% to 73%, and copper recovery from 39% to 42%. In subsequent years, the company's specialists conducted extensive work to improve the copper-lead and lead flotation circuits, resulting in copper recovery increasing to 54% and lead recovery to 62%. Furthermore, in October 2019, the outdated screening equipment of the MMPS mill (wet semi-autogenous grinding mill) at the plant was replaced with a modern trommel screen integrated directly into the mill, resulting in significant energy savings in production. All these measures allowed the company to establish direct export of lead concentrate abroad and install modern bunkering equipment for bagging the product.

To implement innovations and advanced international practices into production, the mine was fully equipped with modern underground equipment – dump trucks, drilling rigs, and load-haul-dump machines from the Swedish company Epiroc and the Finnish company Sandvik. As a result, underground ore production increased by 107.6%, rock excavation volume by 107.9%, copper recovery in copper concentrate by 128.9%, and lead recovery in lead concentrate by 113.1%, ensuring high economic efficiency.

All of these achievements are based, first and foremost, on the dedicated work of the enterprise’s employees and the fact that people always come first. To date, four employees of the company have received high state awards: Dilmurod Khamroev and Muazzam Sharapova were awarded the "Mehnat Shuhrati" Order, Botir Hujamuratov and Nuriddin Khursanov were awarded the "Dustlik" Order, and another 25 employees have been awarded the "Shukhrat" medal, serving as an example and a model for young employees. These opportunities, granted by independence, and the achieved economic stability inspire the team of the Khandiza Mine Administration to new labor victories in the name of the prosperity of the Motherland and the development of the New Uzbekistan.

The Khandiza Mine Administration is consistently implementing strategic mining measures aimed at further expanding production capacity and implementing long-term plans.

Currently, the “Khandiza” Mine produces 615,000 tons of ore annually.

In the near future, two new workings have been successfully excavated in the inner part of the mine to begin the second phase of mining operations. Construction of main adit with a total length of 1,876 meters is currently planned, directly connecting the underground horizons to the surface. Additionally, a massive ventilation shaft, 570 linear meters deep, is being sunk to provide the mine with fresh air.

On this significant and glorious occasion, on behalf of the entire team of the Khandiza Mine Administration, we heartily congratulate all our compatriots on the 35^th anniversary of our independence! To all our fellow countrymen who selflessly work for the prosperity and strengthening of our country's economic strength, we wish good health, family happiness, peace, and prosperity at home. May our country live in peace, the skies above be clear, and our independence be eternal!

Botir Hujamuratov,
Director of the Khandiza Mine Administration