Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Navoi Mining and Metallurgical Company (NGMK), the fourth-largest gold producer in the world and the leading gold mining enterprise in Central Asia, has successfully commissioned the vertical skip shaft “Skipovoy.” The project was implemented as part of a large-scale investment program to develop the lower horizons of the Zarmitan deposit.

With a diameter of 6.5 meters and a depth of 1,000 meters, this shaft is the first engineering structure of such scale and complexity in the history of Uzbekistan’s mining industry. Its launch is expected to significantly enhance ore transportation efficiency, reduce production costs, and create approximately 90 new jobs. Up to 1.4 million tonnes of gold-bearing ore will be lifted to the surface annually through the shaft and sent for processing at Hydrometallurgical Plant No. 4. According to preliminary estimates, the economic benefit from the commissioning of this facility will amount to around 19.2 billion soums per year.

Atabek Ravshanov, Chief Engineer at NGMK, stated: “The ‘Skipovoy’ shaft is a vertical or inclined mine shaft designed for the efficient and safe delivery of ore extracted from underground levels to the surface. Now, all extracted rock from the Zarmitan mine is collected at the +240 meter horizon and centrally delivered to the surface. This is not only a major technological leap forward but also an important milestone in the development of the entire mining and metallurgical sector of our country. We will continue to pursue the implementation of advanced engineering solutions and digital technologies in production.”

The project includes two mine shafts — the Skipovoy and the Kletevoy. The former is equipped with two 20-tonne ore bins designed exclusively for transporting ore. The Kletevoy shaft facilitates the movement of personnel and essential equipment between levels ranging from +0.00 meters to +480 meters, including intermediate horizons.

Both shafts are outfitted with modern information and communication systems. Their operations are monitored from a central control room, which ensures continuous oversight of production processes and cargo movement through precise digital calculations. An alert system is also in place to prevent emergency situations.

The project was carried out with the active involvement of specialists from NGMK, the Southern Mining Directorate, the Zarafshan Construction Department, the Promelektromontazh trust, as well as international partners from Ukraine and Kazakhstan.