A press tour titled “3rd Copper Concentrator Plant — A Step Toward New Industrial Development” was organized today by the Information Service of the Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Complex (AMMC). The event brought together representatives from national newspapers, TV channels, radio stations, websites, and local media.

The purpose of the press tour was to acquaint journalists with the operations of the newly built 3rd Copper Concentrator Plant, established as a result of the reform initiatives of the President of Uzbekistan. Participants were first shown a film depicting the construction process of the plant, after which they had the opportunity to visit the central dispatch control center.

According to Odil Fayzullayev, Deputy Director for Digitalization, one of the plant’s key features is its fully automated control system. Equipped with cutting-edge digital solutions and artificial intelligence, the system oversees the entire technological cycle—from cyclic-flow ore transportation and crushing, to ore enrichment, water supply, and waste management. The control center provides real-time monitoring of the entire process. Data on energy consumption, ore usage, water supply, and auxiliary units are displayed on a single screen, along with critical indicators such as energy volume and engine bearing temperature. This level of monitoring helps detect potential risks in time, reduces downtime, and enhances productivity. The plant is the only one in the region to employ such a comprehensive automated system.

The next stop of the press tour was the primary crushed ore storage facility, which has a capacity of 320,000 tonnes. Here, ore crushed to a size of 300–350 mm during the first stage at three crushing-loading units (CLU) with a capacity of 6,500 tonnes per hour each is transported via two cyclic-flow (CPT) conveyor systems.

Media representatives also toured the plant’s third-stage fine crushing unit (HPGR) and ore preparation building.

What sets the plant apart is not only its production capacity but also its advanced technology and high level of automation. Equipment and solutions from leading global manufacturers have been installed. For example, high-pressure HPGR crushers reduce energy consumption by up to 30% while boosting efficiency.

The final destination of the press tour was the filtration section, where journalists observed the dewatering of copper concentrate and the final processing stage.

The construction of the 3rd Copper Concentrator Plant was carried out using state-of-the-art technologies and international quality standards. It is considered one of the most strategically important industrial projects in this field.

The launch of the plant will enable Uzbekistan to benefit from rising global copper prices, increase export revenues, diversify domestic production, and contribute to the structured development of the national “copper cluster.”

With an annual capacity to process 60 million tonnes of ore, the 3rd Copper Concentrator Plant is expected to become the largest producer of copper in Central Asia, delivering nearly 900,000 tonnes of copper concentrate per year.

On March 30, 2025, the plant successfully produced its first batch of copper concentrate — a clear sign of the project's phased and high-quality implementation.

To date, more than 1.3 million tonnes of ore from the “Yoshlik I” mine has been crushed on-site and delivered to the plant. As a result, over 17,000 tonnes of copper concentrate have already been produced and sent to the Copper-Smelting Plant.

The success of the 3rd Copper Concentrator Plant lies not only in its production volume but also in its integration of world-class industrial technologies, automation and digital control solutions into a single system. This complex, equipped with the latest mining innovations, places Uzbekistan on a new level of the global industrial map.

Once operating at full capacity, the plant will create more than 3,670 jobs. At present, 1,250 employees are working on-site.

Construction of the plant, which covers a total area of 196 hectares, involved more than 23,000 builders and over 1,000 pieces of specialized equipment. The project required 788,000 m³ of concrete, 109,000 tonnes of rebar, 69,000 tonnes of technological equipment, and 65,000 tonnes of metal structures. Additionally, 279,000 meters of technological pipelines, 1.36 million meters of power cables, and 714,000 meters of automation cables were installed.

To put this into perspective, the amount of metal structures used would be enough to build ten Eiffel Towers, while the concrete volume could nearly construct two and a half Burj Khalifas — a testament to the project's scale.

Alpha Lau, Director-General of Invest Hong Kong (HKSAR, China), remarked: “The new plant and the technologies applied here are impressive. This facility will play a critical role in Uzbekistan’s rapidly developing economy. The investment projects implemented by the complex have attracted significant interest from us.”

In conclusion, the 3rd Copper Concentrator Plant stands as a practical example of the fusion of modern technology, digital management, and human capital. This project represents not only a new chapter for the “Almalyk MMC” JSC, but also a symbol of national pride and industrial progress for Uzbekistan.