Azerbaijan, Baku, June 4 / Trend /
Tajikistan and China's Zijin Mining Group agreed on copper mining in Sughd province in the north of the country, Tajik president's press service told CA-News.
The relevant agreement was reached during a visit of Tajik President Emomali Rahmon to Shanghai, where he get acquainted with the work of Zijin.
"It was agreed to establish joint production of copper in Sughd," the spokesman said.
The Chinese company Zijin owns a controlling stake in the Zarafshon company in the north of Tajikistan and is considered as one of the strategic partners of the Government of Tajikistan in the extraction of gold and other precious metals. Zijin is China's second largest earner of gold, mines iron ore in Vietnam, and also owns gold deposits in Mongolia and Peru.
Zijin plans to increase gold production at the Zarafshon plant up to 5,000 kg of gold by 2016.
In 2011, Zarafshon increased performance compared to the previous year by 9 percent, providing the volume of gold production up to 1,320 kg. Last year, the enterprise transferred $18 million in taxes to the budget of Tajikistan.
"It was noted that in the coming years the gold production will be brought to 5 tons," the press service said.
During his visit to Shanghai Rahmon was awarded the title of "honorary citizen" and was given the "golden keys." Mayor of the city noted the role of President of Tajikistan in strengthening and development of the Tajik-Chinese cooperation.
"In the 21st century we solve the issues of joint development and strengthen the centuries-old friendly relations with China," Rahmon said.
Edited by V. Zhavoronkova