The Tajikistan-UK Mining Forum, held at the London Stock Exchange on 19th May, brought together key figures to discuss the immense potential of Tajikistan’s mining sector and foster stronger bilateral ties with the UK. The event featured insightful keynote speeches from high-ranking officials, highlighting opportunities for investment, sustainable development, and collaborative partnerships.
Ambassador H.E. Mrs. Rukhshona Emomali: A Vision for Growth
H.E. Mrs. Rukhshona Emomali, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Tajikistan to the UK, opened the keynote session, emphasising Tajikistan’s rich, largely untapped mineral wealth. She highlighted the nation’s significant reserves of gold, silver, antimony, lead, and other valuable minerals, positioning Tajikistan as a potential key player in the global mining landscape.
Under the leadership of its President Emomali Rahmon, the Tajik government is committed to the sustainable development of its mining sector. This includes modernising its regulatory framework and creating a favourable investment climate, with transparency, environmental responsibility, and innovation at the core of its approach. The Ambassador stressed that Tajikistan is seeking not just investment, but committed partners to help build a modern, responsible, and competitive mining industry for the benefit of its people and the international community.
Lord Alderdice: UK’s Commitment to Responsible Mining
Lord Alderdice, the UK Government’s Trade Envoy to Azerbaijan and Central Asia, spoke on behalf of the UK government, expressing his delight at the burgeoning partnership with Tajikistan. As the newly appointed UK Trade Envoy to Tajikistan, he underscored the vital importance of the mining sector in the bilateral relationship, recognising the significant scope for further collaboration.
Lord Alderdice highlighted the UK’s outstanding capabilities across the entire mining and minerals value chain, from exploration and mapping to environmental management, engineering consultancy, and mining operations. Crucially, he emphasised the UK’s reputation as a leader in responsible mining, with fairness and transparency at the heart of its industry ethos. This commitment extends to engaging local communities, minimising environmental impacts, and protecting human rights. He noted that the London Stock Exchange, a gracious host for the forum, lists some of the world’s largest mining companies, solidifying the City of London’s role as a global centre for mining finance. He also pointed to the UK’s strength in research and development, spearheaded by universities like the Camborne School of Mines at the University of Exeter, the University of Birmingham, and the University of Manchester, all contributing cutting-edge expertise to the sector.
Dr. Maggy Heintz: Geoscience for Sustainable Futures
Dr. Maggy Heintz, Director of International Geoscience at the British Geological Survey (BGS), offered insights into the crucial role of geoscience in unlocking Tajikistan’s mineral potential responsibly. She highlighted Tajikistan’s rich geological diversity and strategic resources, including those critical for the global energy transition.
Dr. Heintz stressed that unlocking this potential requires more than just extraction; it demands sustainable practices, science and data-driven decision-making, and robust international cooperation. As the world’s oldest geological survey organisation, BGS has a long history of sharing knowledge and strengthening capacity in geological science and data management worldwide. She expressed BGS’s commitment to listening, learning, and exploring ways to contribute to a sustainable, resilient, and economically inclusive future for Tajikistan’s mining sector.
A significant development announced by Dr. Heintz was the renewal of a partnership between the British Geological Survey and the Tajik Main Department of Geology through a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This MoU will build on previous successful collaborations, focusing on globally important geological challenges and ensuring the long-term sustainability of geological knowledge and data management within Tajikistan.
The keynotes collectively painted a compelling picture of a promising future for the Tajikistan-UK mining partnership, founded on shared goals of economic growth, innovation, and sustainable development.
