The Navoi Mining and Metallurgical Company (NMMC), the largest gold miner in Central Asia, is planning to expand its use of renewable energy to power its operations. The $450 million programme is in line with efforts by the government of Uzbekistan to boost the share of renewable energy to 40% of the country’s total power generation by 2030.
In the first half of 2024, NMMC installed photovoltaic panels across its 21 major industrial sites with a total capacity of 5750 kilowatts (kW), enabling the generation of up to 9.7 million kWh of electricity per year. Another 450kW of solar capacity will be launched by the end of this year near the company’s facilities in the Tomdinsky district of the Navoi region of Uzbekistan.
The investment follows the installation of 1200kW of solar capacity in 2023, including 1000kW at the Navoi Machine-Building Plant, 100kW at the Kyzylkum mining department and 100kW at NMMC’s corporate headquarters. These solar arrays added to 250kW of capacity already in operation.
According to a company press release, in addition to power generation, NMMC is using the sun’s energy to heat water, thereby reducing consumption from other energy sources. With the aid of 4,993 solar water heaters, the company can supply its hot water needs during the summer months, conserving an estimated 1.7 million cubic meters of natural gas per year.
Eugeny Antonov, first deputy CEO for transformation at NMMC, said: “NMMC is committed to sustainable development and to doing its part to contribute to the global transition to renewable sources of energy. By investing in renewable energy now, we have an opportunity to lower operating costs over the long term and to reduce pollution, while also ensuring a greener future for our communities.”
NMMC mines, processes and sells precious metals in Navoi, Samarkand, and Jizzakh regions of Uzbekistan. It operates 12 major mines, including Muruntau-Myutenbai, the largest open-pit mine in the world with an estimated resource base of 101 million ounces (moz) of gold. It also owns seven hydrometallurgical plants and two heap leaching facilities.
