DUSHANBE, January 23, 2013, Asia-Plus  -- In 2012, Tajikistan produced 2,400.90 kilograms of gold, which was 160.80 kilograms more than in 2011 but 100 kilograms fewer than it was originally planned, Minister of Energy and Industries Gul Sherali announced at a news conference in Dushanbe on January 23.

According to him, the country failed to fulfill the gold production target because the gold-mining enterprise, Tilloi Tojik (Tajik Gold), which subordinates to the Ministry of Finance, last year produced only 251 kilograms of gold, which was 200 kilograms fewer than it was originally planned.

The minister noted that some 2,000 tons of gold are expected to be produced this year.  “Tajik-Chinese joint venture, Zeravshan Gold Company (ZGC), is currently constructing a new facility that will allow increasing the production of gold,” Gul Sherali said.

In 2014, Tajikistan is expected to produce 3,000 tons of gold and development of the placer gold deposits will begin in the country soon, the minister added.

In 2011, Tajikistan produced 2,240.10 kilograms of gold.  In 2010, Tajikistan reportedly produced 2,050 kilograms of gold, which was 690 kilograms more than in 2009.

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 , and the private gold mining enterprise, Tacom Gold , operate in Khatlon province.

In 2012, ZGC produced 1,511 kilograms of gold, 182.30 kilograms more than in 2011, Aprelevka – 442 kilograms of gold, three kilograms more than in 2011, Odina – 150 kilograms, 20 kilograms more than in 2011, and Tacom Gold – 21 kilograms, eight kilograms more than in 2011.  -           

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.  Most of gold comes from the Jilau deposit operated by ZGC.