DUSHANBE, January 21, 2012, Asia-Plus  -- In a report released at a news conference in Dushanbe, Minister of Energy and Industries Gul Sherali revealed on January 20 that Tajikistan produced 2.2401 tons of gold last year, which is 134.8 kilograms more than in 2010.

According to him, most of gold was produced by Tajik-Chinese JV Zeravshan Gold Company (ZGC).

“ZGC produced 1,329.2 kilograms of gold last year, which is 114 kilograms more than in 2010,” said the minister.  “Tajik-Canadian JV Aprelevka produced 439.5 kilograms of gold (250 grams more than in 2010), Tilloi Tojik produced  319 kilograms of gold (11 kilograms more), and the gold mining artel, Odina, produced 130.2 kilograms of gold in 2011 (3.5 kilograms more than in 2010).”

“Although Tilloi Tojik last year produced gold more than in 2010, it failed to fulfill its target for 2011 that has been determined at 500 kilograms of gold,” Gul Sherali noted.  He attributed that to bad work of the enterprise.

Tajikistan plans to increase gold production this year at least by 200 kilograms, the minister noted.

In the meantime, silver production has decreased in Tajikistan.  In 2011, Tajikistan produced 1,763.9 kilograms of silver, which was 887 kilograms fewer than in 2010.

Tajikistan reportedly produced 2,050 kilograms of gold in 2010, which was 690 kilograms more than in 2009.  The country also produced 2,667 kilograms of silver in 2010, 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 annually 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.