Azerbaijan targets mining and metallurgy expansion through new state program

Azerbaijan is advancing its non-oil sector through a state program for the development of the mining and metallurgical industries for 2027–2030. Key initiatives include preparing the ‘Filizçay’ polymetallic deposit in Balakən for exploitation, with AzerGold expected to maintain 100 percent ownership. The program aims to increase the sector's annual export potential from 1.3 billion manat to 3.4 billion manat by 2030.

To achieve this, the government is exploring the creation of metal smelting facilities to process copper locally rather than exporting concentrates. The program is also expected to create over 5,000 new jobs in regions including Baku, Ganja, Daşkəsən, Balakən, and Karabakh.

In related economic news, Azerbaijan exported approximately $1.478 billion worth of natural gas to Türkiye during the first seven months of 2026, representing a 7.3 percent decrease in value compared to the same period last year. Additionally, the International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts that electricity could meet 33 percent of global energy consumption by 2035, a trend relevant to global energy security and decarbonization efforts.