Construction has begun on a new pelletizing plant at Uzbekistan's largest iron ore deposit, Tebinbulak. Operations are slated to commence in the fourth quarter of 2025, GMK Center has reported.

The project, managed by iron and steel company Triangul Metals Tebinbulak, will feature plate machines for pelletizing raw pellets, a conveyor roasting machine and equipment for pellet injection and screening, along with loading bins and conveyor lines. 

The plant will pelletize iron ore concentrate to produce pellets, with an annual production capacity of 5mn tonnes.

The construction of the Tebinbulak pelletizing plant is set to create over 400 jobs. The labour needs for the project will primarily be met by hiring local residents, who will benefit from training programmes based on existing production facilities to enhance their skills.

This plant is to become an integral part of the production chain of Uzbekistan’s first mining and metallurgical plant, managed by Triangul Metals Tebinbulak. 

The Tebinbulak site is part of an integrated steel cluster located in Karauziak Special Industrial Zone. 

The plant at Tebinbulak will be responsible for the extraction and enrichment of iron ore, as well as the production of iron ore raw materials.

According to Triangul Metals Tebinbulak, the estimated reserves at the Tebinbulak iron ore deposit exceed 1bn tonnes, with an average iron content of 12.6% and magnetite content of 6.8%. 

The deposit is currently undergoing additional exploration, which is expected to increase total reserves by 500mn tonnes upon completion.