Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Jan. 21 / corr Trend D.Azizov /
Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Combine, based in Tashkent region, will implement projects on reconstruction and expansion of Kalmakir mine in the nearest two years, the combine's major raw material base with the total cost of $98.7 million, a source at Almalyk said.
Almalyk has launched initial stage of work over reconstruction of the mine. The project will be complete by the beginning of 2012, the source said.
Kalmakyr mine has been developed since 1954. its project capacity is 27 million tons of ore , while striping work amount to 12 million cubic meters a year. Geological reserves of the mine made up 6.15 million tons of cooper and 98,400 tons of molybdenum as of Jan. 1, 2007. Along with cooper, industrial value of the Kamlmakyr field also include gold, silver, molybdenum, selenium, tellurium and rhenium.
After the reconstruction production from the mine is expected to increase by 3.5 million tons of ore a year.
Under the project it is planned to construct the fourth re-loading junction and reconstruct railways, to purchase additional mine transport equipment, including excavators and drilling rigs.
The financial document will be realized at a $63 million loan of the Uzbek Fund for Reconstruction and Development (UFRD), a $20 million loan of local commercial banks and $15.7 million of Almalyk's own funds.
The loan will be directed at purchase of mine-transport and drilling technique, equipment for the construction of the fourth reloading junction and reconstruction of railways. The company will announce tender for purchase equipment for the Kalmakir mine in the end of the first quarter of 2010.
Almalyk is an only cooper producer in Uzbekistan and one of huge non-ferrous metal manufacturers in the Central Asia. Roughly 90 of silver production and 20 percent of gold production account for Almalyk. The combine includes two big enterprises, two enriching plants and two metallurgical plants with its infrastructure.
Almalyk has a right to develop cooper-molybdenum and lead-zinc ores in Almalyk District, Tashkent Region. Crude base of Almalyk are Kalmakyr and Sari-Cheku cooper-porphyrines ores in Tashkent Region and Uch-Kulach lead-zinc barium ore in Jizak Region.
The total production is estimated to over $300 million a year. The enterprise manufactures different products, including cooper (cathodes), metallurgical zinc, and lead concentrate. Almalyk exports some 60 percent of the total output, including 5 percent to CIS countries.
In 2009 Almalyk planned to increase production of refined cooper to 80,000 tons compared to 71,000 in 2008. The company produced zinc fully on tolling. In 2009 it was also planned to maintain zinc production on the level of 60,000 tons, the similar in 2008.
In January to September 2009 the company produced refined 61,700 tons of cooper, which is by 19 percent more than the same period of 2008. Meanwhile, zinc production of decreased 20 percent to 30,000 tons over the first nine months of 2009.