KHUJAND, October 14, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- Tajik-Chinese joint mining venture, The Chinese Mining Company, based in the settlement of Zarnisor (formerly Altyn-Topkan), Sughd province is making preparations for launching its concentrating mill, according to the Qiaroqqum mayor’s office.

“All three production lines of the enterprise will be launched on November 6 on occasion of Tajikistan’s Constitution Day,’ said the source, “This year, the plant is expected to process 300,000 tons of ore per while next year, it will be able to process 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 of one more deposit is granted to foreign investors.