Navoi Mining and Metallurgical Company (NMMC) is set to invest over $23mn to expand the capacity of the Muruntau mine, the world’s largest open-pit gold mine. This investment aims to enhance the mine’s rock mass transportation capacity by 27mn cubic meters annually.

A major part of the investment, over $8.2mn, is allocated to upgrades at the Northeast Cycle and Flow Technology Complex. This facility is pivotal to Muruntau’s ongoing development, and the expansion will increase its transportation capacity by 15mn cubic meters per year. The project includes the installation of new conveyor systems, power lines, and a 1,100-meter extension of the tipping conveyor line.

NMMC is also constructing a second conveyor line within the Muruntau open pit, complementing the existing 1,877.4-meter conveyor. The new line, extending over 1,000 meters, is projected to boost transportation capabilities by an additional 12mn cubic meters annually. This project is expected to cost more than $15.3mn.

NMMC is currently ranked as the fourth-largest gold mining company globally, with a production of 2.9mn ounces in 2023. The Muruntau mine, recognized as the world’s largest in terms of gold reserves, holds an estimated 4,500 tonnes of gold.

The Muruntau open pit currently spans 5.5 kilometers in length, 3.4 kilometers in width, and reaches a depth of 650 meters. NMMC is planning an additional expansion project to facilitate gold mining at depths of up to 1,050 meters, which will increase the production volume to more than 50mn tonnes of ore per year.