Uzbekistan Plans to Double Uranium Output by 2030: What It Means for Suppliers
Uranium production is set to rise from 7,500 to 15,000 tonnes by 2030, and critical metals output to $2.7 billion. Here's what tenders this will bring.
What happened
Uzbekistan plans to double uranium production from 7,500 to 15,000 tonnes by 2030. Proven reserves should reach 200,000 tonnes. These plans were discussed at a meeting chaired by the president, according to Gazeta.uz. The same source reports that Navoiyuran will expand capacity and introduce alternative reagents, cutting the use of sulfuric acid. In parallel, officials discussed raising output of critical metals to $2.7 billion and attracting $1.1 billion for deep tungsten processing, Daryo.uz reports. Spot.uz adds that the Uzbek Combine of Technological Metals will launch 11 new product lines.
The goal is not just to extract more, but to process more inside the country. That requires new capacity, reagents, equipment and contractors — which means procurement.
What it means for suppliers
Suppliers to mining, metallurgy and chemicals stand to benefit. Reagent suppliers come first: the shift to alternative reagents and less sulfuric acid will change demand for leaching and processing chemicals. Next is equipment: pumps, pipes, tanks, instrumentation, protective gear. Construction and installation contractors are also in play, because capacity expansion means new facilities and upgrades. Deep tungsten processing is a separate track that will need technology and tooling.
When will tenders appear? The reports give no exact dates. The plans run to 2030, so procurement will come in waves: design and surveys first, then equipment and construction, then reagents and consumables. Prepare early — in such tenders, qualification matters more than price.
According to TenderLabs, there are currently 785 open lots in Chemicals and Household Goods, 949 in Energy, and 2,516 in Construction. These are not uranium tenders specifically, but adjacent areas where your experience counts.
What to do now
- Build a portfolio of mining, metallurgy and chemical projects: similar supplies, references, permits. Without this, you won't pass qualification in large tenders.
- Check which reagents and equipment you can supply given the shift to alternative reagents and less sulfuric acid. If your product line is becoming outdated, look for replacements.
- Get your digital signature (EDS) and make sure it is valid: you can't submit a bid without it.
- Set up monitoring by keywords: uranium, tungsten, reagents, mining equipment, Navoiyuran, Combine of Technological Metals.
- Prepare financial documents and certificates in advance — large tenders require a big document pack, and submission windows are short.
TenderLabs can help you track relevant lots and stay ahead of the waves.
Photo: Daryo.uz