From 19 to 26 September 2026, Dr Magdalena Worsa-Kozak from the Digital Mining Center (DMC) team represented Wrocław University of Technology and the Faculty of Geoengineering, Mining and Geology on a fact-finding and economic mission to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The mission was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Climate and Environment, and the delegation was led by Wojciech Zajączkowski, Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Prof. Krzysztof Galos, Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry of Climate and Environment and Chief Geologist of Poland. The delegation comprised representatives from research institutes (PIG-PIB, ING PAN, GIG), universities (Wrocław University of Technology, Silesian University of Technology) and companies, including KGHM Polska Miedź.
In Kazakhstan, the delegation visited the Ulba Metallurgical Plant and Kazzinc in Öskemen. The Ulba Metallurgical Plant, part of the Kazatomprom group, is currently establishing a Center for Critical Raw Materials, which aims to train local engineering staff and conduct research in the fields of geology, mining and processing. Discussions confirmed an interest in research and development cooperation with Wrocław University of Technology.
In Uzbekistan, the highlight of the programme was a meeting at Tashkent Polytechnic University with Shavkat Azimov, Vice-Rector for International Cooperation and Transformation. Discussions centered on student and staff exchanges under the Erasmus+ programme, visiting professors, summer schools and joint projects under the Horizon Europe programme. Representatives from the Polish universities also toured the university’s teaching and research facilities and the Geological Museum.
The programme also included a visit to the newly established R&D Park at the Uzbekistan Technological Metals Complex, where production technologies for 31 metals deemed critical by the Uzbek government are to be developed, and to the FONON gold jewelry factory, where discussions centered on atomization, 3D printing in gold and materials research.
The mission demonstrated that the countries of Central Asia are investing heavily in research and modern infrastructure, whilst at the same time requiring a skilled engineering workforce. This opens up extensive opportunities for cooperation in the fields of critical raw materials, geology, mining, water management and environmental protection. This is further facilitated by the fact that Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are eligible for funding under the Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe programmes.
We would like to thank the organizers from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Climate and Environment, as well as the Polish Embassies in Astana and Tashkent, for arranging the visit.
