DUSHANBE, July 22, 2011, Asia-Plus — In a report released at a news conference in Dushanbe, deputy Minister of energy and Industries, Poulod Muhiddinov, revealed on July 22 that Tajikistan as produced 920.5 kilograms of gold over the first six months of this year, which is 180 kilograms more than in the same period last year.
According to him, most of gold has been produced by the Tajik-Chinese joint gold mining enterprise, Zeravshan Gold Company (ZGC). “ZGC has produced 601 kilograms of gold over the same six-month period,” Muhiddinov said, noting that ZGS plans to produce more than 1,600 kilograms of gold this year.
Tajik-Canadian gold-mining joint venture, Aprelevka, has reportedly produced 203.8 kilograms of gold over the report period, which is one percent more than in January-June 2010.
The deputy minister stressed that Tajikistan planned to produce up to 3 tons of gold this year.
In the meantime, silver production has decreased in Tajikistan. In January-June 2011, Tajikistan has produced 870 kilograms of silver, which is 154 kilogram fewer than in the same period last year.
“Because of danger of rock failure ZGC has suspended operations to produce copper concentrate, from which silver is produced,” said Muhiddinov, “ZGC is expected to introduce new ore-processing lines into operation in September that will allow fulfilling this year’s silver production target.”
We will recall that Tajikistan produced 2,050 kilograms of gold last year, which was 690 kilograms more than in 2009. The country also produced 2,667 kilograms of silver last year, which was 70 kilograms more than in 2009.
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, while in recent years, the country has produced not more than 1,800 kilograms. Most of gold comes from the Jilau deposit operated by ZGC.
Three large gold mining companies now operate in Tajikistan: Tilloi Tojik; Tajik-Chinese JV Zeravshan Gold Company (ZGC); and Tajik-Canadian JV Aprelevka. Besides, the private gold mining artel, Odina, operates in Khatlon province.
