In 2024, Uzbekistan’s largest coal mining enterprise, Uzbekcoal, achieved a record coal production of 6.7 million tons, marking a nearly 15% increase from the previous year. The significant growth was largely driven by the Angren coalfield, which produced over 5.5 million tons of coal. The Apartak coalfield also set a new record by exceeding 1.2 million tons for the first time, while contributions from Uzbekcoal’s underground coal mining facility added to the total production.
The Angren coalfield was the major contributor, with production exceeding 5.5 million tons. Additionally, the Apartak coalfield surpassed 1.2 million tons for the first time.
Uzbekcoal has shown steady growth in coal production over recent years: 3.8 million tons in 2019, 3.87 million tons in 2020, 4.78 million tons in 2021, 5.07 million tons in 2022, and 5.84 million tons in 2023.
Uzbekistan’s total coal production has also seen rapid growth, from less than 4 million tons in 2016 to 6.55 million tons by 2023. For 2024, the target was set at 8 million tons, including 900,000 tons produced by private entrepreneurs. The country’s coal reserves are estimated at 2 billion tons.
The government plans to increase coal production to 10 million tons by 2025 and aims to reach 20 million tons annually in the long term. Minister of Mining and Geology Bobir Islamov emphasized the importance of private sector participation, noting that increased private investment and new projects are crucial for sustaining growth. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has directed efforts to expand investment projects in the coal sector to enhance production and efficiency
