DUSHANBE, July 24, 2013, Asia-Plus — In a report released at a news conference in Dushanbe, Deputy Minister of Energy and Industry, Poulod Muhiddinov, revealed on July 24 that Tajikistan has produced 993.89 kilograms of gold and 855.56 kilograms of silver over the first six months of this year, which is 134.64 kilograms and 40 kilograms more respectively than in the same period last year.
Tajik Minister of Energy and Industry, Gul Sherali, had noted earlier that Tajikistan plans to produce some 3,000 kilograms of gold this year.
Last year, Tajikistan produced 2,400.9 kilograms of gold, which was 160.80 kilograms more than in 2011. Silver production last year totaled 1,700 kilograms, 3.1 kilograms more than in 2011.
Tajikistan has 28 known gold deposits containing an estimated 429.3 tons of gold. The largest amount of gold was produced in Tajikistan in 1998 – 3,000 kilograms. Most of gold comes from the Jilau deposit operated by Tajik-Chinese joint venture, Zeravshan Gold Company (ZGC).
Three large gold mining companies now operate in Tajikistan: Tilloi Tojik; Tajik-Chinese JV Zeravshan Gold Company; and Tajik-Canadian JV Aprelevka. Besides, the private gold mining artel, Odina, operates in Khatlon province.
