Which mineral resources are found in the Tien Shan?

The Tien Shan mountain system is rich in a variety of mineral resources, which are distributed across its valleys and high mountain ranges.1

• Energy Resources: The valleys of the Tien Shan contain deposits of petroleum, natural gas, and coal.1
• Nonferrous Metals: The high mountains contain commercial quantities of several nonferrous metals, including antimony, mercury, lead, zinc, nickel, and tungsten.1
• Phosphates: The region also contains significant deposits of phosphates. Specifically, rich deposits of phosphorites are mined on the eastern slopes of the Qaratau range, a northwestern spur of the Tien Shan, where lead and zinc are also extracted.12

The extraction and processing of these minerals have been significant drivers of industrialization in the region, particularly along the northern slopes of the eastern ranges.1