DUSHANBE, July 9, Asia-Plus 2010, Asia-Plus — The results of a tender for the contract for the development of the Konimansuri Kalon (Big Konimansur) silver deposit in the Tajik northern Sughd province are expected to be known in August, Asia-Plus has learned at the State Committee for Investments and State-owned Property Management (GosKomInvest).
“Top managers of the companies put on the short list of the contenders for the development of the Konimansuri Kalon deposit will arrive in Tajikistan on July 12 to meet with the governmental working group and visit the deposit itself,” said the GosKomInvest source, “Besides, database on the Konimansuri Kalon deposit will be provided to investors; the database is available on the website:
www.konimansurikalon.org
.”
We will recall that the tender for development of the Konimansuri Kalon deposit was announced in November 2009.
On March 2, 2010, the government approved the short list on March 2 and four companies are on this list, namely BHP Billion from the Netherlands, which is a leading global natural resources company, Ziti Mining, which is one of the largest Chinese gold producers, Sichuan Group Ltd (JNMC), which is largest Chinese nickel and cobalt producer, and a consortium that groups Kasson (Kazakhstan), Glenmore International (Switzerland), Koninmasur (Kazakhstan) and ore refinery Adrasman (Tajikistan).
The Konimansuri Kalon in Asht district, Sughd province is estimated to contain around 1 billion tons of ore and according to expert estimates, one ton of the deposit”s ore contained around 49 grams of silver, with 0.38 percent zinc and 0.49 percent lead.
The Konimansuri Kalon silver deposit project is expected to generate significant benefits for the country and help strengthen Tajikistan’s fiscal resources. The project is a key part of the government’s strategy to attract private investment and introduce best practices in procurement. Although Tajikistan has rich deposits of minerals, its remote geographic location and low levels of foreign investment have impeded the development of the mining sector.
