OREANDA-NEWS. August 24, 2010. Uzbekkumir (Uzbek Coal) plans implementing eight investment projects worth USD 1.1 billion by 2015 in the framework of its coal industry modernization program, the company said.

Among the largest investment projects is modernization of the Angren open-pit mine in Tashkent region. Annual coal extraction here will be increased from 3.2 million tons to 6.4 million tons.

This will allow to reduce gas consumption at Novoangren heat power station by 850 million cubic meters per year.

Uzbekkumir signed a USD 119.8-million contract with Sino Coal International Engineering (China) to modernize the Angren mine, which will help improve the coal quality.

The complex of planned measures should lead to increasing the share of coal in the country’s fuel and energy balance to 15%.

Uzbekkumir, which annually produces some 3 million tons of coal, will also modernize and re-equip Shargun and Boysun coal mines and build new mines at Boysun coal deposit.