Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan Strengthen Cooperation in Mining and New Technologies

At the Second International Mining and Metallurgical Forum in Tajikistan, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the fields of mining and the application of new technologies became a new highlight of cooperation in Central Asia.

Representatives from the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision of the Kyrgyz Republic jointly signed the document. The MOU aims to consolidate the traditional friendly relations between the two countries and promote development ties in key areas such as mineral resource exploration and development, and mineral exploration using artificial intelligence and geological data.

The MOU will create favorable conditions for scientific and technological and production cooperation, promoting sustainable development in both countries. One of the key directions of cooperation is the geological exploration and development of precious metal, non-ferrous metal, and coal deposits within Tajikistan.

01 Background and Main Contents of the MOU Signing

Mining cooperation between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan has taken a substantial step forward in the new era. On December 11, 2025, during the Second International Mining and Metallurgical Forum in Tajikistan, the two countries signed a MOU aimed at strengthening cooperation in the fields of mining and new technologies. This memorandum of understanding was jointly signed by representatives of the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision of the Kyrgyz Republic. The document aims to consolidate the traditional friendly relations between the two countries and promote development ties in key areas.

The cooperation covers mineral resource exploration and development, and mineral exploration using artificial intelligence and geological data. The memorandum will create favorable conditions for scientific and technological cooperation and production, thereby promoting sustainable development in both countries.

One of the key contents of the memorandum is the cooperative exploration and development of Tajikistan's precious metal, non-ferrous metal, and coal resources. The document also includes creating conditions for the development of mining joint ventures and supporting their activities within the framework of national laws.

Both sides agreed to hold additional consultations if necessary and to establish working groups to implement the projects. This institutional arrangement provides a mechanism to ensure the implementation of cooperation.

02 The Foundation and Prospects of Mining Cooperation between the Two Countries

The mining cooperation between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan is not accidental, but a strategic choice based on the long-term economic exchanges and resource complementarity between the two countries. This cooperation is expected to bring new opportunities for the development of the mining industry in both countries.

This memorandum of understanding represents an important continuation and deepening of mining cooperation between the two countries. On August 27, 2025, KyrgyzAltyn, the Kyrgyz National Gold Company, reached strategic cooperation agreements with several Tajik mining companies, marking a new step forward in resource complementarity and industrial synergy in Central Asia.

During a high-level delegation led by Tajik First Deputy Prime Minister Khogin Kholikzoda's visit to Bishkek, KyrgyzAltyn signed memorandums of understanding with leading Tajik gold mining companies Talco Gold, Tajik-Chinese Mining Company, and Pakrut Mining.

The cooperation focuses on joint development of metal resources, technology exchange, and the promotion of efficient mining techniques. Furthermore, the agreements cover the technological integration and capacity building of the processing and refining plant owned by KyrgyzAltyn's subsidiary, Kumtor Gold Company.

These collaborations will not only help improve mining technology in both countries but also promote economic growth and job creation in the mining sector. For both countries, cooperation in the mining sector represents a tangible path to transforming resource advantages into economic advantages.

03 New Technologies Empowering Mining Development

Mining cooperation between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan highlights the transformative and upgrading role of technological innovation in traditional industries. The memorandum explicitly identifies the application of new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and geological data analysis as key areas of cooperation.

AI technology is becoming a key area of ​​cooperation within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). Azat Ibrahimov, Director of the Implementation Monitoring Department of the Presidential Office of the Kyrgyz Republic, stated, "China is a model for Kyrgyzstan's development of AI."

Tajikistan also attaches great importance to the development of the digital economy, having designated 2025-2030 as the "Year of Digital Economy and Innovation Development." Azizjun Azimi, Chairman of the AI ​​Committee of the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies of the Republic of Tajikistan, pointed out, "The development of the digital economy requires the empowerment of AI."

The application of AI and geological data analysis technologies in the mining sector will help improve the accuracy and efficiency of mineral resource exploration. The introduction of these technologies will drive the transformation of the mining industries in both countries towards intelligence and green development.

In June 2025, the National Development and Reform Commission of China and the Agency for Innovation and Digital Technology of the Republic of Tajikistan signed a Memorandum of Understanding on deepening cooperation in artificial intelligence. This cooperation framework provides Tajikistan with a broader platform for applying artificial intelligence technology in the mining sector.

04 Regional Cooperation and Positioning in the Global Mining Landscape

Mining cooperation between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan is placed against the backdrop of global green transformation and regional economic integration, possessing strategic significance beyond bilateral relations. Central Asia is rich in mineral resources, holding a significant share in the global resource landscape.

The mineral resources of Central Asia are crucial in the global green transformation wave. Wind turbines, electric vehicles, solar panels, and energy storage systems all require large quantities of copper, nickel, lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements.

This region boasts some of the world's largest reserves of various resources. Kazakhstan boasts the world's second-largest reserves of chromite (230 million tons), tungsten (1.22 million tons), and uranium (815,200 tons); Uzbekistan ranks among the world's top ten gold producers; and Kyrgyzstan has antimony reserves of 260,000 tons, ranking fourth globally.

Tajikistan possesses abundant silver, antimony, and mercury resources, including 50,000 tons of antimony reserves, ranking tenth globally. These mineral resources are crucial in the global wave of green transformation.

China-Central Asia green mineral cooperation has formed a systematic policy framework. The Astana Declaration, signed on June 17, 2025, at the Second China-Central Asia Summit, clearly states that both sides should continue to deepen investment and industrial cooperation in areas such as green minerals, new energy, and new infrastructure.

The construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway will inject strong momentum into mineral cooperation. Once completed, this railway may completely change the logistics pattern of mineral transportation from landlocked Central Asian countries, significantly reducing the time and cost of bilateral transportation.

05 Challenges and Future Paths for Cooperation

While the prospects for cooperation between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan in the mining sector are broad, a series of challenges remain. Identifying these challenges and developing corresponding strategies are crucial for the smooth progress of cooperation.

Infrastructure deficiencies are one of the main factors restricting the development of mining areas in Central Asia. In some remote mining areas of Central Asia, supporting facilities such as transportation, electricity, and water conservancy are weak, and the development of cross-border transportation networks is lagging behind, affecting the efficiency of cross-border transportation of mineral resources.

Meanwhile, enterprises operating locally also face institutional challenges. The lack of uniformity in tariff policies, technical standards, and certification systems among countries, coupled with insufficient "soft connectivity" coordination, further increases the financial, time, and compliance costs for enterprises.

Green mining cooperation needs to overcome the dual barriers of environmental regulations and community relations. The ecological environment of Central Asian countries is relatively fragile, and improper mining development can easily lead to a series of environmental problems such as water pollution and soil degradation.

To build a sustainable path for mining cooperation, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan need to coordinate efforts from three dimensions: policy-driven, platform-supported, and market-linked. The two countries should establish a regular dialogue mechanism to promote the alignment and mutual recognition of environmental standards and mining regulations.

Joint talent training is also a key aspect of deepening cooperation. Both sides should jointly build joint laboratories and technical training centers to strengthen joint training of professional personnel and technical exchanges. This will provide solid talent support for mining cooperation.

As the global green transformation deepens, the importance of key minerals in the international economic and trade landscape is becoming increasingly prominent. By strengthening mining cooperation, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan are transforming their resource advantages into development advantages, injecting strong momentum into regional economic development.

For both countries, this memorandum is an important step in strengthening cooperation, opening up new opportunities for scientific and technological exchanges and sustainable development in the mining sector. With growing interest in the application of innovative technologies in resource exploration and mining, this memorandum is expected to make a significant contribution to the development of both countries.