DUSHANBE, November 12, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- The Government of Tajikistan has announced a tender for development of the Bolshoi Konimansur silver deposit in the Sughd province, according to the State Committee for Investments and State-owned Property Management (GosKomInvest).

All interested investors having enough experience of working in the mining sector and appropriate financial opportunities are invited to participate in the tender.  “Only those companies that will lodge their prequalification applications until December 14 will be put on the short list of investors and admitted to further participation in the tender,” the source said.

The Government of Tajikistan has appointed International Finance Corporation (IFC) to be the lead advisor in selecting a private investor to develop the Bolshoi Konimansur mine’s silver deposits project, which is expected to generate significant benefits for the country.

The infrastructure advisory agreement signed on March 12, 2009 presents an opportunity to develop a project that possibly holds one of the world’s larger silver deposits and could help strengthen Tajikistan’s fiscal resources.  IFC is committed to ensuring a transparent and competitive process for the selection of a developer.  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.

The Bolshoi Konimansur in Asht region 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.