AzerGold: Azerbaijan to establish critical minerals hub in Alat

Azerbaijan is implementing a project to establish a specialized hub for critical minerals in Alat, AzerGold Chairman Zakir Ibrahimov told a panel discussion on the sidelines of the 2nd Azerbaijan International Investment Forum (AIIF 2026).

Ibrahimov said AzerGold aims to build a portfolio of innovative projects by 2030 focused on the extraction of gold, copper and polymetals, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

“A prime example is the Filizchay polymetallic deposit in northern Azerbaijan, which contains substantial reserves: around 3 million tons of zinc, 500,000 tons of copper and more than 1 million tons of lead. Implementing such initiatives will not only stimulate the national mining sector but also have a significant impact on logistics chains across the region,” Ibrahimov said.

He noted that extensive geological exploration is currently underway in the Lesser Caucasus and across the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic as Azerbaijan seeks to expand its mineral resource base.

“This ensures geological stability in the process. However, simply identifying mineral deposits is not the final solution. Genuine supply security requires processing these resources. That is why Azerbaijan is working to establish a mineral hub in Alat, offering broad opportunities for investment. Processing facilities, logistics, investment and access to global markets will be concentrated at a single site. The area will be granted special-zone status,” Ibrahimov said.

By Vafa Guliyeva