Uzbekistan, Azerbaijani partners building $50 mln mining and processing plant at silver deposit

TASHKENT. July 6 (Interfax) - The Oktepa silver deposit development project is being implemented in the Pap District of Uzbekistan's Namangan Region, the regional administration's press service reported following a site visit by regional governor Shavkat Abdurazzakov.

"Overall investment totals $50 million. There are plans to process 700,000 tonnes of ore per year, or around 2,000 tonnes per day, once the facility has reached full capacity," according to the statement.

Developing the Oktepa deposit is among the strategically important investment projects in the Namangan Region. Uzbekistan's Great Fortune International jointly with Azerbaijani partners are implementing the project, which should create 1,000 new jobs.

Annual export volumes should reach $50 million, thus boosting the region's export potential, diversifying industrial production, and providing additional employment, the press service said.

The regional governor additionally inspected the construction of an international multifunctional mountain tourism and recreation complex worth $150 million. Investment totaling $75 million is planned in 2026.

Arashan Resort is implementing the project, and Japan's Nippon Global Education and Assessment (NGEA) is the foreign partner. The complex could accommodate up to 912,000 tourists annually once it is fully operational.

Arashan Resort will be one of the largest investment projects in the Namangan Region, with implementation expected to contribute to developing the region's tourism potential, creating new jobs, expanding the service sector, and enhancing the region's international tourism appeal.