DUSHANBE, August 5, 2010, Asia-Plus — Tajik-Canadian gold-mining joint venture, Aprelevka, intends to produce some 500 kilograms of gold this year, the Aprelevka chief technical officer (CTO) Dilovar Musulmonov said.
“However, there are many factors that could impede implementation of this target. The enterprise, for example, needs modernization of equipment and new technology of production of precious metals,” said CTO, “There are problems with ore processing. The content of gold in the deposit’s ore dropped to 2 grams per ton; moreover, we now work at the bottom lift of the ore body, where river runs making drilling operation more difficult.”
Besides, the financial situation of the enterprises is now unsteady and we cannot afford to purchase new equipment, he added. “The Canadian company assuming 49 percent of shares in Aprelevka had invested funds in the company’s capital asset but it now does not invest in the enterprise,” said Musulmonov, “Today we need 2.5-3 million U.S. dollars to purchase necessary equipment.”
CTO says gold produced by Aprelevka over the first half-year of 2010 has been purchased by the government of Tajikistan, while silver produced by the company over the report period has been exported abroad.
According to the Ministry of Energy and Industries (MoEI), Aprelevka has produced 203 kilograms of gold over the first six months of this year, which is 22.5 kilograms fewer than in the same period last year. The reason for decrease is disruption of electricity supplies from Uzbekistan. The enterprise was not in operation in February because of electricity shortages. The enterprise now uses its own power transmission line and does not depend on electricity supplies from Uzbekistan. Last year, Aprelevka produced 500 kilograms of gold.
The Tajik-Canadian gold-mining joint venture, Aprelevka, was established in the northern Sughd province in 1995. The company is engaged in mining and processing of ores at Aprelevka, Kyzyl-Cheku, Burgunda, Ekiljon and other small deposits in northern Tajikistan. Dore alloy is the finished product of this enterprise. Tajikistan owns 51 percent of the shares and the Canadian company Gulf International Minerals assumes the 49% ownership interest in the joint-stock company Aprelevka. 60 percent of the company’s product goes to replenishing Tajikistan’s golden reserves.
