$35 Million Antimony Processing Plant to be Established in Sughd Region of Tajikistan

In the Ayni district of Tajikistan's Sughd region, plans are underway to establish a modern facility for processing antimony ore. According to the investment agreement signed between the Government and Pahndara Mining, the total cost of the project amounts to 35 million dollars. It is anticipated that once the facility becomes operational, it will provide employment for over 400 people in the region, while simultaneously adding modern value to the country's mining and metallurgy industry. This investment aims to strengthen export potential and increase the volume of foreign trade by introducing innovative technologies to the sector. The facility in question will present an integrated structure as part of the existing operations at the Pahndara mining site.

Pahndara Mining company continues the mining exploration and preparation works previously initiated at the Pahndara deposit in the Ayni district. The enrichment facility, whose foundation is set to be laid in 2025, is being constructed in challenging geographical conditions at an altitude of 3 thousand meters above sea level. Over the past four years, geological surveys and drilling work have been meticulously conducted over an expansive area exceeding 600 hectares. According to current planning, the facility will possess an ore processing capacity with an annual throughput exceeding 150 thousand tons. Production targets include obtaining up to 5 thousand tons of pure antimony metal per year, and the facility is expected to start production at full capacity in 2027.

Antimony constitutes one of the most important export items of the Tajikistan economy, serving as a strategic commodity that provides foreign currency inflow to the country. According to official statistics, Tajikistan realized exports worth 499.9 million dollars from antimony and its products in 2025. This figure indicates an almost twofold increase when compared to the previous year, 2024. However, despite this increase in monetary value, a decrease was observed in physical export volume, dropping from 13.7 thousand tons to 11.5 thousand tons. In the first five months of 2026, the value of antimony exports was recorded as 122.7 million dollars.

According to data from the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies of Tajikistan, the country's proven antimony reserves are approximately 600 thousand tons. The highest ore concentrations are located at the Djidjikrutsk and Konchocsk mining sites. These reserves possess the potential to make Tajikistan a significant player in the global antimony market. The Ministry states that the reserves have been confirmed during the ongoing studies and that mining activities will be sustainable for many years. This new facility is viewed as a step that will contribute to the transformation of natural resources into higher value-added products.

When the general economic context is examined, it is possible to clarify the place of this investment in Tajikistan's industrialization strategies. The incentives provided by the Government to attract foreign investors and the signed agreements are the product of a consistent policy aimed at revitalizing the mining sector. Despite fluctuations in antimony prices in international markets, increasing the country's production capacity is of critical importance for income stability. The Pahndara project will not only foster regional development but also strengthen Tajikistan's position in the global supply chain. The technologies to be used in the project aim to meet modern industrial requirements in terms of compliance with environmental standards and efficiency.