DUSHANBE, July 16, Asia-Plus-- Tajik researchers are currently working out the alumina production technology, which does not have analogues in the world, Azim Ibrohimov, the head of Tajikistan’s Main Geology Directorate, announced at a news conference in Dushanbe on July 16.

According to him, the technology is being worked out by the directorate’s specialists in cooperation with the research institute at the Ministry of Energy and Industries (MoEI).   

Ibrohimov noted that that there are deposits of minerals such staurolite and muscovite in the Western Pamirs.  “Under a certain chemical processing, these minerals could be used for production of alumina,” said Ibrohimov.

The main geology directorate head added that if the survey yields good results, Tajikistan will be able to provide itself with alumina for at least 50 years. 

Staurolite (iron aluminum silicate hydroxide) is a common metamorphic mineral that is useful to geologists to determine the degree of metamorphism.  Staurolite is famous for its twinned crystals that form into the shape of a cross.