Jordan, Uzbekistan Explore Mining Cooperation

(MENAFN- Jordan News Agency)

Amman, Sept. 18 (Petra)-- Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Saleh Kharabsheh, on Thursday received a delegation from Uzbekistan headed by Deputy Minister of Mining, Industry and Geology, Rustam Yusupov, to discuss cooperation in the mining sector.
Talks covered prospects for collaboration, particularly in the exploration and utilization of phosphates, uranium, and rare earth minerals, according to a draft memorandum of understanding shared with the Uzbek side, which is expected to be signed soon.
Kharabsheh highlighted the importance of the meeting in opening new horizons for cooperation and technical knowledge exchange, in line with the vision of His Majesty King Abdullah II and Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
He pointed out that a phosphate exploration project launched in December 2021 revealed an initial geological reserve of around 700 million metric tons in the Risha area, eastern Jordan.
He affirmed that the government is committed to leveraging all mineral resources available in the Kingdom, noting Jordan's location within the Arabian-Nubian Shield, one of the richest mineral belts in the world.
For his part, Yusupov said Uzbek mining companies are highly interested in investing in Jordan's mining sector.
He described the meeting as the beginning of wide-ranging cooperation, adding that Uzbek firms will work on programs and technical plans to utilize natural resources in ways that serve both nations.
Joint teams will be formed to conduct necessary economic and technical studies and to collect samples from agreed mining sites.

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