Aliyev Launches 5.3 Billion Manat Mining Development Program

President Ilham Aliyev chaired a meeting in Baku on September 22 to present the State Program on the Development of Mining (Metal Ores) and Metallurgical Industry for 2027–2030. The four-year initiative requires an estimated 5.3 billion manat in investment, with 80% expected from non-budgetary sources, including private and foreign investors. The program aims to shift the national strategy from raw material extraction to domestic processing to create higher added value, targeting a GDP contribution increase from 700 million to 1.8 billion manat by 2030.

Key objectives include increasing aluminum production to 100,000 tons and commissioning gold, copper, and molybdenum deposits in liberated territories. While work has already begun in Aghdara, the government plans to initiate exploitation in Kalbajar and Zangilan. Aliyev noted that development had been hindered by the occupation of these regions, accusing the Armenian state of plundering natural resources and destroying 60,000 hectares of forest reserves in Kalbajar, Lachin, and Zangilan.

The program will create over 5,000 permanent jobs and establish the West Industrial Park to support the Dashkasan ore deposit. State-owned companies AzerGold and Azeraluminium will lead major efforts, with the latter projecting exports to reach 510 million manat by 2030. New geological exploration is also scheduled to begin in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic next year.