Navoi Mining and Metallurgical Company (NMMC), one of the world’s leading gold producers, continues to expand operations at its flagship Muruntau gold mine in Uzbekistan. This vast open-pit site is the centrepiece of the company’s global production strategy and is now undergoing large-scale upgrades, both in terms of infrastructure and fleet capacity.
At the heart of Muruntau’s operations is the Automotive Transport Division, part of NMMC’s Central Mining Administration. With over 2,500 drivers and technical personnel, the division is responsible for the round-the-clock transportation of mined rock. In 2024, the team moved 118 million cubic metres of rock, and for 2025, they aim to reach 138 million cubic metres — a new record for the site.
Strengthening the Haul Fleet
To support this growth, NMMC operates a fleet of more than 350 heavy-duty machines, including haul trucks from BELAZ, Caterpillar, and Komatsu, with payload capacities ranging between 90 and 260 tonnes. The fleet will be further expanded in 2025 with the addition of over 30 new Hitachi trucks.
Among the high-capacity models currently in use:
- BELAZ 75131 (130 t) and 7530 Series (220 t)
- Caterpillar 789C (181 t) and 789D (194 t)
- Komatsu 830E (227 t) and 860E (254 t)
In April 2024, four new Komatsu 860E-1K electric drive trucks were introduced at the mine. In total, ten of these large-scale trucks were delivered in the past year, marking NMMC as one of the first Central Asian miners to adopt this advanced model for large-volume operations.
The company’s focus on fleet renewal goes beyond basic replacement. According to Shukhrat Mavlonov, Head of the Automotive Transport Division, it represents a strategic investment in safety, efficiency, and the long-term viability of Muruntau’s high-output operations.
Expanding the Pit and Building New Infrastructure
Muruntau currently spans 5.5 kilometres in length, 3.4 kilometres in width, and over 675 metres in depth. Under the Muruntau Stage V – Phase 1 expansion project, the pit is being deepened to a target depth of 1,000 metres using advanced mining methods.
To handle increased rock volumes and reduce haulage distances, new infrastructure is being built on the southern slope of the mine. This includes new crushing and loading stations, as well as a system of main and waste conveyors stretching 2.4 kilometres. All conveyor systems are being produced locally at NMMC’s machine-building plant in Navoi and the company’s repair facility in Zarafshan, supporting local industry and in-house manufacturing capabilities.
Preparation is already underway for Muruntau Stage V – Phase 2, which will increase annual ore supply to Hydrometallurgical Plant No. 2 to 60 million tonnes. This next step will further elevate NMMC’s production capacity and reaffirm its role as a key contributor to the global gold market.
Through continued investment in fleet expansion, pit development, and technological infrastructure, NMMC is positioning Muruntau to meet future production demands while enhancing operational performance and sustainability.
