DUSHANBE, February 10, Asia-Plus — Today prices of gold on world markets are rising and it may positively impact Tajikistan’s economy, Sulaimon Nasimov, chef specialist with the mining and precious metals department at the Industries Ministry, said.
In the “Asia-Plus” interview, Nasimov has said this factor will have positive influence on joint ventures for processing gold in the country, including the Tajik-British JV “Zarafshon”, the Tajik-Canadian JV “Aprelevka” and the JV “Darvoz”.
“The JV Zarafshon’s functioning at a loss has resulted from slump in prices of gold on the world market,” Isojon Qurbonov, head of the mining and precious metals department with the Industries Ministry, said, noting for the period from 1996 to 2003, because of slump in gold prices “Zarafshon” enterprise had incurred losses in an amount of US$36,190,760.
Over the last six months, prices of one ounce of gold have risen up to US$567 (some US$18.5 per one gram), according to the source.
“Six months ago, one gram of gold cost US$14.00,” a specialist with mining and precious metals department said. “if to proceed from this, one may predict that a possible in pries of gold will exceed 5%-10% during the year,” he said, noting many factors such as fuel prices rises and increase in demand for gold all over the world may tell on formation of gold prices.
According to him, it is not known how long high prices of gold will remain in effect. “Everything depends on functioning of the world’s large gold-mining enterprises,” the Asia-Plus interlocutor said.
In the meantime, western experts predict rapid rise in gold prices. According to prognosis of western experts, within the next two-three years, the gold prices may rise to US$100 per ounce.
