Muruntau gold deposit

Muruntau lies in the mountains of the same name in the south-west of the Kyzylkum desert, in Tamdy District of Navoiy Region, and was discovered in 1958.

One of the world's largest and deepest open-pit mines has been dug here, its giant stepped crater visible from space; it is worked by the Navoi Mining and Metallurgical Combine.

Gold is one of Uzbekistan's biggest exports and Muruntau its main source; the town of Zarafshan grew up around the combine.