Marjonbulok Mine Marks 45 Years of Gold Extraction with Plans for Major Expansion

The Marjonbulok gold mine, one of the cornerstone assets of Navoi Mining and Metallurgical Company (NMMC), has reached a significant milestone in 2024—45 years since the first gold-bearing ore was extracted from its deposits in Uzbekistan’s Gallaorol district, Jizzakh region. Over the decades, the mine has evolved into a model of consistent growth, technological modernization, and operational excellence in Central Asia’s mining sector.

History and Significance

Discovered in the late 1970s, Marjonbulok began producing gold ore in 1979, quickly gaining strategic importance in Uzbekistan’s mineral resource sector. As one of NMMC’s key projects, the mine has played a vital role in the company’s contribution to national gold production and export revenues.

Today, the mine’s geographical footprint has grown substantially, measuring 2 kilometers in length, 900 meters in width, and reaching a depth of 215 meters. This makes it one of the more expansive open-pit gold operations in the region.

Growth in Production

Production at Marjonbulok has witnessed a significant rise over the past decade due to sustained capital investment, workforce development, and equipment modernization:

This upward trend reflects not only increased extraction efficiency but also the mine’s growing importance within NMMC’s broader operations.

Operations and Equipment

The mine’s operational capability is supported by a team of over 1,200 skilled workers, who oversee round-the-clock activities using a diverse fleet of modern mining machinery:

• 4 drilling rigs for continuous ore access

• 7 excavators for large-volume rock handling

• 24 dump trucks for ore transportation

• 40+ specialized machines for site maintenance and support

Every day, the mine yields 2,000 tons of gold-bearing ore, which is transported to the on-site gold separation facility for processing.

Looking Ahead: 2027 Expansion Goals

NMMC has announced an ambitious growth plan aimed at expanding the scale of extraction at Marjonbulok by 28% by 2027. This initiative reflects both confidence in the ore body’s reserves and a strategic push to meet growing gold demand, both regionally and globally.

The 2027 expansion will be driven by:

• Further automation and digitization of mine operations

• Introduction of next-generation drilling and hauling equipment

• Enhanced worker training and safety systems

• Environmental management aligned with Uzbekistan’s green mining policies

Economic and Regional Impact

The mine remains a major contributor to the local economy in the Jizzakh region, generating employment, infrastructure development, and community investment. It also contributes significantly to Uzbekistan’s gold output, which is among the top 10 globally.

In parallel, Marjonbulok is helping NMMC align with Uzbekistan’s broader goals of industrial modernization, export diversification, and sustainable resource management.

As it celebrates 45 years of continuous operation, the Marjonbulok gold mine stands as a symbol of Uzbekistan’s mining legacy and future potential. With a clear path laid out for expansion and modernization, the mine is set to continue playing a pivotal role in both national development and global gold supply chains.