KHUJAND, November 12, 2009, Asia-Plus — Tajik-Chinese joint mining venture, The Chinese Mining Company, based in the settlement of Zarnisor (formerly Altyn-Topkan), Sughd province has postponed the launch of its concentrating mill, according to the Qairoqqum mayor’s office.
As it had been reported earlier, the concentrating mill was supposed to be launched on November 6 this year.
“However, the launch of the mill was postponed because of mistake made in the tailing dump design. As it has turned out the capacity of the tailing dump for storage of production waste is too small and they have begun constructing a new tailing dump. It may take a month,” said the source, “As far the mill is concerned, it is ready for launch.”
According to him, the concentrating mill will have the capacity of processing up to one million tons of ore per year and produce a lead-zinc concentrate.
He added that they would also increase the ore extraction area in 2010 that would allow creating new jobs. “Some 500 people, with 70 percent of them being Tajik nationals, now work for the company,” the source said.
According to him, a metallurgical plant may be built here if license for developing one more deposit is granted to foreign investors.
