Mining - The Times Of Central Asia

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The Government of Tajikistan and FLSmidth to Cooperate in Mining

Sherali Kabir, Minister of Industry and New Technologies of Tajikistan, and Peter Flanagan, representative of the transnational company FLSmidth have signed a memorandum of cooperation in the mining sector. FLSmidth is one of the world's leading mining equipment suppliers. During their meeting, the parties exchanged views on priority areas of cooperation in the mining sector and the development of joint projects in the mining industry and under the memorandum, will form a working group to instigate plans. It was noted that 93% of Tajikistan's territory is occupied by mountains possessing essential breakthrough minerals, including lithium, copper, antimony, and others.

Mining Minerals International investment business and economy

Kyrgyzstan Promotes Investment in Mineral Resources

On June 19, Bishkek hosted the 10th mining and geological forum “MINEX Central Asia” with the participation of over 100 companies from 22 countries of Central Asia, Europe, China, North America, and the Middle East. Addressing the forum, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic Akylbek Japarov reported that 95% of the territory of Kyrgyzstan consists of mountains, the depths of which are rich in minerals, not only gold and coal, but also iron (one section of one deposit alone, contains over 5 billion tons of ore), titanium, and high in demand rare earth metals such as europium, zirconium, cesium, and group of lanthanides. Citing examples, the prime minister said that the predicted reserves of titanomagnetite in just one area of the Kyzyl-Ompol deposit, amount to some 20 million tons, and the reserves of rare earth metals, including more than 21 elements, at Kutessay-2 deposit, to around 60 thousand tons. “These reserves were recorded more than 50 years ago, and there is an opinion among authoritative geologists and scientists that these figures could increase significantly following more detailed geological exploration using new technological solutions. We invite partners to engage in joint geological exploration and are seeking investors in this promising sector of the economy – mining,” explained Japarov. Regarding Kyrgyzstan’s current climate, which ultimately determines its attraction to investors, he stated: “Political stability has been achieved through the improvement of our country’s economic situation. We have achieved a sharp reduction in the shadow economy, an increase in tax revenues and customs duties and, accordingly, an increase in wages for teachers, medical doctors, cultural workers, an increase in the [economic] activity of impoverished citizens, and a tough fight against corruption and crime. As a result, 82% of the population supports the course set by the country's leadership, headed by the President; a fact substantiated by the International Republican Institute (IRI).” In conclusion, he remarked, “Our people are experiencing improvements across the board – and after- three revolutions, we are focused on creating a better economy for our country.”

Uranium Mining Legislation Kumtor Economy Export/import Issyk-Kul Energy Investments Environmental Awareness Rare Earth Elements

Kyrgyzstan Lifts Ban on Mining of Uranium and Thorium

Deputies of the Kyrgyz Parliament have approved a bill lifting the ban on mining uranium and thorium by 69 votes in favor to three against. Parliamentarians are confident that the legislative changes will bring significant economic dividends to the country. The law banning uranium and thorium mining was passed in 2019. At that time, authorities wanted to sell the license to develop a deposit, but faced a significant pushback from residents who feared the project could harm the environment and damage the water table. The result was a complete ban on the entire territory of the Republic. In the Issyk-Kul region of Kyrgyzstan alone, 150,000 cubic meters of radioactive waste were accumulated from uranium mining in the last century. According to the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the country has 92 burial sites, with 23 tailing dumps containing uranium elements. Kyrgyzstan's total volume of poisonous and hazardous substances stands at 2.9 million cubic meters. The notes behind the new bill indicate that alternative sources of income are needed due to severe economic impacts over recent years. However, these activities must strictly comply with environmental norms and standards in uranium and thorium mining. Speaking in parliament, Minister of Natural Resources, Environment, and Technical Supervision, Melis Turganbayev assured deputies that the bill's passage would not harm the environment or the health of Kyrgyz citizens. “For uranium mining to be profitable, a deposit needs 40-50 tons. Kyrgyzstan lacks such reserves. There are occurrences from 0.01 to 0.08% in 83 locations. Our goal is not the uranium, but the associated metals,” Turganbayev said. Authorities plan to mine titanomagnetite, which is accompanied by uranium and thorium. Both elements will be processed at the Kara-Balta Combine in Chui Oblast. Thorium will be stored, while uranium will be sold to other states. Iskhak Masaliyev, one of the three deputies who voted against the bill, reminded his colleagues of discussions in the early 2000s on ecology. However, only now has it been possible to begin to eliminate harmful waste. Doctor of Geological and Mineral Sciences, academician Rozalia Jenchuraeva told The Times of Central Asia that the 2019 law banning mining was “a big folly” as it suspended all waste activities and impacted jobs, leaving hazardous materials lying no more than 20 meters deep are slowly contaminating the soil and water. “If they pull it all out, it will be wonderful. It will clean up the land. This is work for the Kara-Balta Combine. I think the government has decided to develop Kyzyl-Ompol, which is the right thing to do,” Jenchuraeva said. Jenchuraeva believes that Kyrgyzstan has qualified personnel who have previously worked at uranium sites, know how to mine uranium and thorium, and can develop the deposits using their expertise and resources. Earlier, President Japarov met with residents near the Kyzyl-Ompol deposit. “The development of Kyzyl-Ompol will create over a thousand jobs. This mine will become the second Kumtor (gold deposit). The local budget will cease to be subsidized, and the people will get richer,” the president said. Kyzyl-Ompol is...

Mining China

Mining Output Grows in Tajikistan

Mining output in Tajikistan has grown by more than 18% over the past year. Enterprises in the mining and precious metals industry for the first four months of 2024 produced quantities worth 4.3 billion somonis ($398.6 million), which is 667 million somonis ($61.7 million) or almost 19% more than the same period in 2023, Sputnik has reported. According to Muhammadvalishokh Makshulov, a spokesman from the ministry of industry and new technologies, the demand depends primarily on increasing enterprises' capacity and creating new directions in their work. According to the ministry, last year the company Zarafshon launched a metallurgical plant to produce metallic copper, built on the most modern technologies in the world, thanks to the acquisition of more than $119 million. Also, on 5 July 2023, the enrichment plant of TVEA Dushanbe Mining Industry LLC, with a capacity of processing 900,000 tons of ore per year in the Ayni district of the Sughd region, started operating. This company started production at two mines: Kumargi Bolo and Duobai Sharqi. The first mine is located at an altitude of almost 4,000 meters, and the second is at 2,300 meters. Last year, with the attraction of $43 million in foreign capital, construction began on the second stage of a metallurgical plant to produce lead, silver, and copper for the Tajik-Chinese mining and industrial company. Currently 21 companies are engaged in the mining and processing of minerals and precious metals in Tajikistan, seven of which are active due to Chinese investments. About 12,500 people work in the business of mining and processing minerals and precious metals. Of these, 11,500 are Tajik citizens, and the rest are Chinese.

Tungsten Mining Kazakhstan

Tungsten Production in Almaty

Kazakhstan’s Minister of Industry and Construction Kanat Sharlapaev met representatives from Jiaxing International Resources Investment LTD on April 3rd to discuss progress on the extraction of tungsten at Bugutinskoe in the Almaty region. The new mine and processing plant, scheduled for completion by the end of 2024, are expected to create 1,000 jobs. The project involves the extraction and processing of 3.3 million tons of tungsten ores to produce a 65% tungsten concentrate. A feasibility study is also being conducted for the construction of a deep-processing complex, which will process a further 65% tungsten concentrate into 88.5% ammonium paratungstate and high-purity tungsten carbide.

Mining

Kazakhstan Now a Global Top Ten Iron Ore Producer

Latest data from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) puts Kazakhstan in the top 10 of countries by volume of mined iron ore. Almost 2.8 billion tons of metal were extracted in the world in 2022. Iron ore makes up 93.3% of that total, or 2.6 billion tons, which includes 1.6 billion tons of iron. The leaders in iron ore production are Australia (880 million tons in 2022), Brazil (410 million tons), China (380 million tons) and India (290 million tons). USGS has Kazakhstan in ninth on the list, with 66 million tons. Kazakhstan intends to increase iron ore production in the country, and plans to launch a new mining project in the Kostanay region. Its developers plan to put the Lomonosovskoye deposit into operation in 2025.