Nakhchivan hosts International Geology and Mining Forum

On July 25, Nakhchivan hosted the International Geology and Mining Forum 2025. First, the forum participants visited the monument to the National Leader Heydar Aliyev in the main square of Nakhchivan city and laid flowers in front of the monument. The visit was followed by a tour to Heydar Aliyev Museum.

The Forum was organized at the Nakhchivan Palace, where attendees viewed an exhibition showcasing rock and mineral samples and construction materials from ore and non‑ore deposits across the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. The exhibition also included artworks reflecting Azerbaijan’s natural resources.

At the beginning of the forum, the National Leader Heydar Aliyev and martyrs were commemorated with a moment of silence, followed by the National Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Fuad Najafli, the authorized representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, welcomed the participants, noting that the “State Programme for Socio‑Economic Development of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic for 2023–2027” is vital for maintaining economic and ecological balance in the region. He emphasized that this programme prioritizes environmental protection, efficient use of natural resources, and conducting geological research by applying modern technologies. These principles guide every geology and mining project.

He stated that over the past two years, field work and desktop studies were carried out in the territory of Nakhchivan involving exploration and evaluation of non‑ore and construction material deposits, groundwater monitoring, and research and reassessment of ferrous, non‑ferrous, and noble metals. In total, 55 deposits have been inspected and revaluated, and 6 new deposits have been discovered. Field inspections of 298 mineral springs have been conducted, and 14 springs were proposed as suitable for investment. The process in these areas is continued.

According to ore deposit exploration and reserve evaluation projects, all planned work in the Aghdara – Nasirvaz area has been completed, and field exploration started in the Khal-Khal area of Babek region this year.

Fuad Najafli noted that monitoring of exogenous geological processes is ongoing, inspection and topographical surveys have been systematically carried out in areas with active exogenous processes.

The state programme also covers geological assessments on the basis of the international standards at the Paraghachay and Gapichig molybdenun, and Gumushlu polymetallic deposits.

Starting from July 7, 2023, eleven non‑ore mineral deposits covering 65 hectares were auctioned for the first time in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, bringing nearly 1 million manats into the state budget.

Fuad Najafli described the Forum as a crucial platform bringing together experts, scientists, businessmen, and state officials from various countries. And highlighted that the discussed topics are aimed not only for the territory of Azerbaijan, but it also covers the future development of the regional and global mining sector.

The main purpose for inviting international evaluators is to conduct objective geological assessments of ore deposits using internationally recognized methodologies, to build a precise geological database, and to enable investment.

Abdullah Tancan, Deputy Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of Türkiye, Abdurazak Mirzayev, Vice‑President of the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan, Doctor of Geological and Mineralogical Sciences, Vugar Karimov, Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan, Zakir Ibrahimov, Chairman of the Executive Board of AzerGold CJSC, Reza Vaziri, President and CEO of Azerbaijan International Mining Company Limited, Vedat Yanık, Director General of the Mining Research and Exploration Department of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources of Türkiye gave speeches at the international forum.

The speeches highlighted the special significance of holding the Forum in Nakhchivan – one of Azerbaijan’s regions with the richest geological structures. Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and Nakhchivan lie along the Alpine‑Himalayan orogenic belt, one of the world’s main metallogenic zones known for its abundant mineral deposits; thus, discovering new sites through exploration is not surprising. Collaborative efforts are expected to bring significant results for brother countries. No doubt, the forthcoming projects in Nakhchivan will pay a vital role in the process.

Khanlar Mustafayev, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, provided detailed information on the geological exploration and mining activities in the region.

The Forum continued with panel discussions featuring representatives from Azerbaijan, Türkiye, and Uzbekistan. They discussed innovative methods in geological exploration and mining, recent achievements, and future collaboration opportunities, responding to questions from participants.

The event concluded with the presentation of commemorative gifts made from Nakhchivan’s mineral rocks.