RIA Novosti reported quoting source in the combine that the government entrusted to develop feasibility study on modernization programme by the end of 2012 and start to buy equipment in the beginning of next year.

Within the programme, it is planned to purchase 15 hydraulic excavators, 50 large-capacity cargoes, and update mining and railway equipment.

The modernization of equipment is connected with growth of mining works at Muruntau field in Central Kyzylkum and Zarminat and Gujumsay fields in Samarkand.

The estimated programme of the programme is US$130 million. NGMK will issue US$70 million and Fund for Reconstruction and Development of Uzbekistan will issue loan for US$60 million.

Modernization of automobile and railway transport will allow NGMK to increase ore supplies to processing capacities by 35% by 2020 in comparison with 2011 to 150 million tonnes a year.