Colorado School of Mines to support establishment of center of excellence in Uzbekistan focused on critical minerals and mining
A Center of Excellence in the fields of geology, mining and critical minerals is established in Uzbekistan with the support of Colorado School of Mines, one of the world’s leading universities specializing in mining and earth sciences.
The center aims to strengthen Uzbekistan’s scientific, educational and technological capacity in mineral exploration, sustainable mining and advanced processing technologies, as well as to facilitate the transfer of international best practices and innovations to the national mining sector.
The initiative builds on high-level discussions held during meetings between representatives of Colorado School of Mines and the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.
“Uzbekistan is rich in strategically important mineral resources, and we are determined to unlock this potential through advanced technologies, foreign investment, and international cooperation. We will create all necessary conditions for global partners to work confidently and successfully in our country,” President Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized during meetings with international partners.
Starting this year, the Center of Excellence will serve as a multidisciplinary platform for:
- Conducting joint scientific research and developing technological solutions for the exploration, mining, and processing of mineral raw materials, including critical minerals;
- Applying innovative methods of geological modeling, geodata interpretation, and artificial intelligence;
- Supporting academic mobility and professional exchange between students, researchers, and industry experts from Uzbekistan and the United States.
John Bradford, vice president of global initiatives and business development at Colorado School of Mines, highlighted the long-term importance of the initiative.
“Uzbekistan has enormous untapped geological potential. Many deposits remain under-explored, and we see a strong opportunity to contribute to training a new generation of specialists who will study and responsibly develop these resources for the benefit of the country," Bradford said.
The Center of Excellence is also expected to contribute to the formation of a competitive, transparent and innovation-driven mining ecosystem, aligned with Uzbekistan’s broader economic reforms.
“Close cooperation with Colorado School of Mines, which trains leading specialists in mining and geological fields, will make it possible to elevate the scientific-educational and industrial-technological processes in the sector to a qualitatively new level. The Center of Excellence will be allocated on the campus of the University of Geological Sciences in Tashkent to ensure broad coordination of modern education and introduction of innovative technologies”, noted Bobir Islamov, Minister of Mining Industry and Geology of Uzbekistan.
The implementation of joint projects under the Center of Excellence will further strengthen cooperation between the Ministry of Mining Industry and Geology and Colorado School of Mines, while supporting Uzbekistan’s integration into global critical minerals value and supply chains.
The center is expected to play a key role in developing human capital, fostering innovation and supporting the sustainable growth of Uzbekistan’s mining industry.
