DUSHANBE, September 26, Asia-Plus — Specialists from the Australian-Russian Joint Venture Micromine arrived in Tajikistan at end of last week to conduct geological survey on the Maykhoura tungsten deposit in the Varzob district. 

Geologists of Micromine have been hired by Russia’s company Region-Invest that acquired a package of shares of the Takob Ore Refinery at the tender that was held in December 2005.

Mark Gershevich, the director general of the limited liability company Region-Invest, told Asia-Plus that his company had received license from the Tajik government to develop the Maykhoura tungsten deposit and the company will start work next May.  

Gershevich said that Region-Invest had fulfilled all its obligations on the agreement.  “Thus, we have created additional 41 workplaces,” said the director general, “We have also repaid all wage debts of the ore refinery.” 

He added that they plan to invest more than $10 million in development of the Maykhoura deposit and another 150 persons will be recruited.  According to him, they will enlist the services of Tajik geologists as well.