Mines expands partnership with Uzbekistan through the Center of Excellence in Geology and Mining at the University of Geological Sciences

Colorado School of Mines is expanding its partnership with Uzbekistan through a new agreement that will support the country’s mining and critical minerals sector, strengthen its workforce and advance collaboration between government, academia and industry. 

The new initiative was announced Oct. 19 during a U.S. delegation visit to Uzbekistan led by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and including Mines and U.S. corporate leaders.  

Mines recently signed a Master Agreement with Center of Excellence in Geology and Mining under Uzbekistan’s University of Geological Sciences in Tashkent that provides access to up to $9 million in project funding supported by Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Mining Industry and Geology and the Center of Excellence. The projects will support four Uzbek state-owned mining and minerals companies, the country’s geological survey and the University of Geological Sciences.  

Through the agreement, Mines faculty and experts will work with partners in Uzbekistan on projects designed to improve existing mining operations, identify and develop new mineral resources and build the technical capabilities of the country’s mining workforce. 

“This partnership with Colorado School of Mines marks a turning point for Uzbekistan’s mining industry. Mines is one of the world’s foremost institutions for training mining and geological talent, and together we will lift science, education, industry and technology in our sector to an entirely new level,” said Azam Kadirhodjaev, rector of the University of Geological Sciences. “By anchoring the Center of Excellence on the campus of the University of Geological Sciences in Tashkent, we are bringing world-class education and cutting-edge innovation under one roof, so that ideas move quickly from the classroom to the mine site. This is a direct investment in the ambitious goals set by Uzbekistan’s leadership to expand our production capacity and to build a mining sector that can compete with the best in the world.” 

The agreement builds on a broader partnership between Mines and Uzbekistan announced in May 2026 that established the Center of Excellence in Geology and Mining at the University of Geological Sciences in Tashkent. The center was created with support from Mines to advance Uzbekistan’s scientific, educational and technological capacity in mineral exploration, sustainable mining and advanced processing technologies. 

“We are excited to be supporting the strategic relationship between the U.S. and Uzbekistan, and through that deepening our partnership with the University of Geological Sciences in Tashkent and their Center of Excellence in Geology and Mining,” said Paul C. Johnson, president of Colorado School of Mines. “In collaboration, we are building the expertise and workforce needed to realize Uzbekistan’s aspirations for its critical minerals economy and the envisioned connections to the U.S.”  

Mines was invited to apply for an anticipated $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of State to provide professional education and training for mining professionals in Uzbekistan. The program plans to draw on Mines’ technical expertise to help professionals build crucial skills relevant to the country’s evolving mining and minerals sector. 

“We are thrilled about Colorado School of Mines’ new Center of Excellence in Tashkent and the possibility of deepening cooperation through a U.S. Embassy-sponsored workforce development initiative in the mining sector. These collaborations will help Uzbekistan and the United States leverage U.S. expertise and develop future talent to strengthen commercial ties.  These investments in critical minerals, trade, and workforce preparedness will open doors to new economic opportunities for both of our nations,” said Jonathan Henick, U.S. Ambassador to Uzbekistan.  

The new projects will deepen the partnership between Mines and Uzbekistan, with a focus on workforce development, advancing innovation and expanding the country’s connections to global critical minerals value and supply chains. 

The Oct. 19 visit also highlighted the broader economic relationship between the United States and Uzbekistan, with the U.S. delegation focused on opportunities to support investment and growth.