The mining industry of Azerbaijan. The main natural resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan are natural gas, oil, non-ferrous metals , bauxite and iron ore . Ore and non-metallic minerals are concentrated mainly in the mountains of the Lesser and Greater Caucasus , and fossil fuels in the lowlands and in the South Caspian basin.
In 2010, a number of minerals and metals were mined in the territory of Azerbaijan, and significant production and export activities took place in the oil sector.
Despite the fact that the country is the main producer of crude oil , since 1991 it has focused on developing offshore resources. Major projects in 2010 were the Shah Deniz gas condensate field and the Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli offshore oil platform [1] .
In 2013, industry produced products and services worth 33.7 billion manat, 74 percent of the gross production was in the mining industry. In the same year, 66.2 percent of all investments in fixed assets across the industry came from mining.
In 2014, copper ore production increased by 135%. It is estimated that lime production increased by 88%. Crude steel and cement production increased by 29% and 24%, respectively. The production of aluminum oxide , caustic soda and sulfuric acid ceased. Iron ore production decreased by 35%. Plaster production decreased by 33%; bentonite - by 17%; and iodine - by 11% [2] .
Content
Metals
Anglo Asian Mining PLC company launched gold mining in 2009 in Azerbaijan. Gold was mined in the gold and copper mines of Gedebey. In total, the company produced 1.9 Mt of gold in 2010. In the same year, Anglo Asian Mining PLC acquired a license for gold mines in Azerbaijan. 2,500 tons of silver, 1,5 Mt of copper and 400 tons of gold were mined at these gold deposits. Due to this volume of production, the government managed to increase gold production by 2014. In 2016, Anglo Asian Mining PLC reported total production of 65,394 ounces of gold, 1,941 tons of copper and 165,131 ounces of silver. [3]
Combustible minerals
Sources of fossil fuels in Azerbaijan are represented by oil, gas, oil shale, peat, etc. The oil industry plays an important role in the local economy. Oil is extracted from both mainland and offshore fields.
Azerbaijan also produces hydrocarbon gases. Over the past 35-50 years, many gas condensate fields have been found and developed.
In 2010, Azerbaijan increased natural gas production by 2.1% compared to 2009. The country's natural gas reserves reached approximately 30 trillion cubic feet. as of 2011.
In 2010, oil produced at the Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli field was refined at two refineries in Baku: the Baku Heydar Aliyev Oil Refinery and the New Oil Refinery. These refineries together produce about 400 billion barrels of oil per day. [3]
See also
- Oil industry of Azerbaijan
- Geology of Azerbaijan
- Azerbaijan economy
Notes
- ↑ Minerals . www.azerbaijan.az .
- ↑ Azerbaijan: Mining, Minerals and Fuel Resources . www.azomining.com .
- ↑ 1 2 Gold and copper producer in Azerbaijan . http://www.angloasianmining.com .