2017–2018 Minerals Yearbook

TAJIKISTAN [ADVANCE RELEASE]

U.S. Department of the Interior December 2020 U.S. Geological Survey The Mineral Industry of By Karine M. Renaud Note: In this chapter, information for 2017 is followed by information for 2018.

In terms of world production in 2017, Tajikistan ranked third 35%; bituminous coal, by 30%; zinc concentrate (Zn content), in antimony and mercury (excluding United States production) by 26%; lead concentrate (Pb content), by 18%; and gold ore and accounted for 9% and 3% of world production, respectively. (Au content), by 10%. Production of salt decreased by 33%; In addition, aluminum, cement, coal, crude petroleum, gold, primary aluminum, by 20%; natural gas, by 13%; and crude gypsum, lead, natural gas, salt, sand and gravel, silver, and zinc petroleum, by 7%. Data on mineral production are in table 1. were produced (table 1; George, 2019; Klochko, 2019). Structure of the Mineral Industry Minerals in the National Economy Table 2 is a list of major mineral industry facilities. In 2017, Tajikistan’s real gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 7.1% compared with 6.9% in 2016. The nominal Commodity Review GDP was $7.2 billion. Industrial production (including energy, Metals gas, and water) increased by 21.3% in 2017. Within the industrial sector, manufacturing production increased by 22.7%, Aluminum.—In 2017, state-owned Tajik Aluminum Co. and production in the mining sector increased by 22.5%. In (TALCO) was the sole producer of aluminum in Tajikistan; 2017, mining sector production, in nominal prices, amounted to its production decreased by 20% to 103,000 metric tons (t) 4.52 billion somoni ($515 million)1 and manufacturing sector of aluminum from 129,000 t in 2016. The decrease was production amounted to 11.75 billion somoni ($1.3 billion) attributed to a reduction in the number of electrolysis baths, (Agency on Statistics Under the President of the Republic of technical issues, and a delay in the supply of petroleum coke. Tajikistan, 2018, p. 151, 160; Asian Development Bank, 2018, TALCO and Yunnan Construction and Investment Group p. 236; World Bank, The, 2018). of China planned to build a new aluminum smelter in the In 2017, Tajikistan’s exports totaled $1.2 billion compared western town of . The cost of construction of the with $899 million in 2016, and imports totaled $2.8 billion proposed smelter was estimated to be between $1.5 billion compared with $3.0 billion in 2016. In 2017, exports of precious and $1.6 billion, and construction was expected to be and semiprecious stones and metals increased to $214 million completed in 18 months. The total capacity was expected to from $99 million in 2016, and they accounted for 18% of total be 503,000 metric tons per year (t/yr) of aluminum. TALCO exports. Exports of nonprecious metals decreased by 1.8% to also signed a memorandum of cooperation with Yunnan $229 million from $225 million in 2016, and they accounted Construction and Investment Group, Road and Bridge Corp. of for 19% of total exports. Exports of mineral products increased China, and General Nice Investment Ltd. of China to upgrade to $478 million from $307 million in 2016. The country’s the existing smelter located 60 kilometers west of . main export partners were Kazakhstan (which received 27% The expected date of completion was not available (table 1; of Tajikistan’s exports), Turkey (20%), Luxembourg (10%), Avesta Information Agency, 2018a; Interfax, 2018a; Fergana Afghanistan and Switzerland (8% each), and Russia (6%) News, 2019). (Global Cement, 2017; Agency on Statistics Under the President Gold.—In 2017, Tajikistan’s production of gold increased to of the Republic of Tajikistan, 2018, p. 246, 248, 254). 5,500 kilograms (kg) from 5,000 kg (estimated) in 2016. Gold In 2017, imports of precious and semiprecious stones and producers in Tajikistan were JV Zarafshon Gold Company LLC, metals decreased by 29% to $5.0 million from $7.0 million which was a joint venture of a subsidiary of the Government in 2016; imports of nonprecious metals decreased by 18% to and Zijin Mining Group Co. Ltd. (ZGC) of China; Tilloi Tochik $284 million from $347 million in 2016. The country’s main [Tajik Gold], which in 2017 was owned by JV Zarafshon (75%) import partners were Russia (which supplied 33% of Tajikistan’s and the Government (25%); the Tajik-Canadian joint venture imports), China (20%), and Kazakhstan (19%) (Agency on Aprelevka; LLC Pakrut, a wholly owned subsidiary of China Statistics Under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Nonferrous Gold Ltd. (CNG) of China; the private company 2018, p. 246, 249, 254). Arteli Odina; and an artisanal mine. JV Zarafshon, which was Production the country’s leading gold producer, operated the Jilau and the Taror Mines, which produced a combined 4,043 kg of gold in In 2017, production of mercury increased by an estimated 2017 (tables 1, 2; Kabar News Agency, 2018; Zijin Mining 233% compared with that of 2016; cement and sand and gravel, Group Co. Ltd., 2018, p. 38, 39). by 129% each; silver ore (Ag content), by 43%; lignite, by In 2017, CNG operated the Pakrut Mine through its subsidiary LLC Pakrut and produced 162 kg of gold. In February, snowfall 1Where necessary, values have been converted from Tajikistani somoni (TJS) in the Pakrut gold mine area caused an interruption in the power to U.S. dollars (US$) at an average annual exchange rate of TJS8.77=US$1.00 supply, damage to plant equipment, and flooding of tunnels for 2017 and TJS7.88=US$1.00 for 2016.

Tajikistan—2017–2018 [ADVANCE RELEASE] 46.1 in the mine that halted production for the remainder of the In 2018, owing to continued financial difficulties and a delay year. CNG was able to restore production and was expected in the coke supply, TALCO’s aluminum production decreased to complete the infrastructure construction in 2018 (China by 7%. The reasons for TALCO’s financial difficulties included Nonferrous Gold Ltd., 2018, p. 4). outdated equipment and a decrease in the number of electrolytic In 2017, Arteli Odina planned to apply for mining licenses for baths. Another reason for the decrease in aluminum production new gold deposits. In 2005, the company had obtained mining was the interrupted import of coke coal (Fergana News, 2019). licenses to extract gold in Shungov Khovalin, Khatlon Province. The company began mining gold in 2007, and the resources at Outlook the company’s older Shungov Khovalin licenses were expected Tajikistan relies heavily on foreign investment and loans for to be depleted by 2019 (Asia-Plus, 2017). infrastructure development and mineral enterprises. In 2017 and On June 24, the President of Tajikistan issued a permit to 2018, foreign companies (mainly from China) continued to be build the CJSC TALCO Gold mining and processing plant. The engaged in production of aluminum, gold, lead, and zinc in the construction of the plant was expected to be completed by 2020. country, and they are expected to continue to increase existing The production capacity was expected to be 1.5 t/yr of gold and production and to invest in new production projects of these 16 t/yr of antimony. In April, the President signed a decree that commodities in coming years. Tajikistan also plans to increase allows TALCO to transfer a 25-year license to TALCO Gold its aluminum production to 339,000 t by 2025 and to 380,000 t to develop mineral resources in the Konchoch area. The decree by 2030 (Interfax, 2018a). also allows TALCO to transfer 50% of TALCO Gold shares to a foreign investor. The Konchoch area contains three deposits: the References Cited Chul’boi gold-silver deposit, the Konchoch gold-silver-mercury- fluorite deposit, and the Shahkon gold-antimony-arsenic-fluorite Agency of Social Insurance and Pension under the Government of the Republic deposit. The mineral resources in the Konchoch Mine were of Tajikistan, 2016, National Development Strategy of the Republic of Tajikistan for the period up to 2030: Dushanbe, Tajikistan, Agency of Social estimated to be 268 t of antimony, 205 t of fluorite, 184 t of Insurance and Pension under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, mercury, 55 t of gold, and 44 t of silver (Chorshanbiyev, 2017; 96 p. (Accessed August 21, 2019, at http://nafaka.tj/images/zakoni/new/ Interfax, 2018b). strategiya_2030_en.pdf.) Agency on Statistics Under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, 2018, MINERAL INDUSTRY HIGHLIGHTS IN 2018 Sotsial’no-economicheskoye polozheniye RT za Yanvar’-Dekabr’ [Social- economic positions of the Republic of Tajikistan January–December]: Dushanbe, Tajikistan, Statistical Agency Under the President of the Republic In terms of world production in 2018, Tajikistan ranked of Tajikistan, 289 p. (Accessed August 13, 2018, at http://stat.ww.tj/51fb883f third in antimony and mercury production and accounted for 423d5b8917905c45f3ebb697_1518696622.pdf.) 10.3% and 2.5% of world production, respectively. In 2018, the Asian Development Bank, 2018, Asian development outlook 2018—How country’s real gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 7.3% technology affects jobs: Mandaluyong, Philippines, Asian Development Bank, 317 p. compared with a 7.6% increase (revised) in 2017. The nominal Asia-Plus, 2017, Artel “Odina” v poiskah novogo zolotogo “klada” [Artel’ GDP was $7.5 billion (table 1; World Bank, The, 2019a, b; “Odina” is in search of new gold treasure]: Media-group “Asia-Plus,” George, 2020; Klochko, 2020). October 13. (Accessed August 17, 2018, at https://asiaplustj.info/news/ In 2018, the National Development Council under the Office tajikistan/economic/20171013/artel-odina-v-poiskah-novogo-zolotogo-klada.) Avesta Information Agency, 2018a, Aluminiyeviy spad—V Tajikistane of the President of Tajikistan discussed the implementation posledniye 6 let idet spad proizvodstva aluminiya [Aluminum decrease— of the National Development Strategy of the Republic of Production of aluminum was decreasing for the last 6 years in Tajikistan]: Tajikistan for 2018 ̶ 30, which is aimed at improving the social Dushanbe, Tajikistan, Avesta Information Agency, January 22. (Accessed and economic resources, increasing industrial development, August 17, 2018, http://avesta.tj/2018/01/22/alyuminievyj-spad-v- tadzhikistane-poslednie-6-let-idet-spad-proizvodstva-alyuminiya/.) and determining the path for the future development of the Avesta Information Agency, 2018b, Pravitel’stvo Tadjikistana priobretayet country through integration of modern technologies at all 5% aktsii SP “Zarafshon” za $1 [The Government bought 5% share of JV levels of government and other agencies (Agency of Social “Zarafshon” for $1]: Dushanbe, Tajikistan, Avesta Information Agency, Insurance and Pension under the Government of the Republic of February 19. (Accessed August 17, 2018, http://avesta.tj/2018/02/19/ pravitelstvo-tadzhikistana-priobretaet-5-aktsij-sp-zarafshon-za-1/.) Tajikistan, 2016). China Nonferrous Gold Ltd., 2018, Annual report and financial In 2018, production of construction sand and gravel increased statements for the year ended 31 December 2017: London, by 104%; salt, by 56%; silver ore (Ag content), by 47%; cement, United Kingdom, China Nonferrous Gold Ltd., 52 p. (Accessed by 23%; gold ore (Au content), by 16%; gypsum, by 11%; August 17, 2018, at http://www.cnfgold.com/Managed/Resources/docs/ interimresults30june2018.pdf.) and antimony ore (Sb content), by 9%. Production of natural Chorshanbiyev, Payrav, 2017, TALKO hochet nachat’ dobychu zolota. No poka gas decreased by 36%; lead concentrate (Pb content), by 27%; partnyerov podhodyashih ne nashla [TALCO wants to start extraction of gold. zinc concentrate (Zn content), by 9%; and primary aluminum However, it had not found suitable partners yet]: Media-group “Asia-Plus,” (metal), by 7%. Data on mineral production are in table 1. November 24. (Accessed August 17, 2018, at https://asiaplustj.info/ru/news/ tajikistan/economic/20171124/talko-hochet-nachat-dobichu-zolota-no-poka- Gold producers in Tajikistan in 2018 were Aprelevka, Arteli partnerov-podhodyatshih-ne-nashla.) Odina, CNG, JV Zarafshon, Tilloi Tochik, and an artisanal Fergana News, 2019, Kitaiskaya companiya moderniziruyet TALCO mine. In 2018, ZGC sold 5% of its shares in JV Zarafshon to na $550 mln [Chinese company upgrades TALCO for $550 million]: the Government. This sale increased the Government’s share Fergana News [Moscow, Russia], April 4. (Accessed August 21, 2019, at https://fergana.agency/news/106788/.) in JV Zarafshon to 30% from 25% (table 2; Avesta Information George, M.W., 2019, Mercury: U.S. Geological Survey Mineral Commodity Agency, 2018b; Zijin Mining Group Co. Ltd., 2019, p. 46). Summaries 2019, p. 106−107.

46.2 [ADVANCE RELEASE] U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK—2017–2018 George, M.W., 2020, Mercury: U.S. Geological Survey Mineral Commodity World Bank, The, 2018, GDP (current US$): Washington, DC, The World Summaries 2020, p. 106−107. Bank. (Accessed August 13, 2018, at https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/ Global Cement, 2017, Tajikistan exports third of cement production in first NY.GDP.MKTP.CD.) quarter of 2017: Pro Global Media Ltd., April 20. (Accessed August 20, 2018, World Bank, The, 2019a, GDP (current US$): Washington, DC, The World at http://www.globalcement.com/news/item/6039-tajikistan-exports-third-of- Bank. (Accessed August 21, 2019, at https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/ cement-production-in-first-quarter-of-2017.) NY.GDP.MKTP.CD.) Interfax, 2018a, Tajikistan’s Talco could boost aluminum output 60% in 2018, World Bank, The, 2019b, GDP growth (annual %): Washington, DC, The World in Russia and CIS Metals and Mining Weekly: Interfax, v. XXVIII, no. 21 Bank. (Accessed August 21, 2019, at https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/ (1341), May 25–31, p. 15. NY.GDP.MKTP.KD.ZG.) Interfax, 2018b, Tajikistan starts building Talco Gold complex, in Russia Zijin Mining Group Co. Ltd., 2018, 2017 annual report: Xiamen, China, and CIS Metals and Mining Weekly: Interfax, v. XXVIII, no. 25 (1345), Zijin Mining Group Co. Ltd., 262 p. (Accessed August 17, 2019, at June 22–28, p. 9. http://www.zijinmining.com/upload/file/2018/04/27/9a6346a0d816491c8071 Kabar News Agency, 2018, In 2017 Taldybulak Levoberezhny field produces 3a587e5884fb.pdf.) 2017 kg of gold: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Kabar News Agency, January 16. Zijin Mining Group Co. Ltd., 2019, 2018 annual report: Xiamen, (Accessed August 17, 2018, at http://kabar.kg/eng/news/in-2017-taldybulak- China, Zijin Mining Group Co. Ltd., 262 p. (Accessed levoberezhny-field-produced-2017-kg-of-gold/.) February 21, 2020, at http://www.zijinmining.com/upload/file/2019/05/15/ Klochko, Kateryna, 2019, Antimony: U.S. Geological Survey Mineral f4f97a694fb7431984ee2f562183ae16.pdf.) Commodity Summaries 2019, p. 22−23. Klochko, Kateryna, 2020, Antimony: U.S. Geological Survey Mineral Commodity Summaries 2020, p. 22−23.

TABLE 1 TAJIKISTAN: PRODUCTION OF MINERAL COMMODITIES1

(Metric tons, gross weight, unless otherwise specified)

Commodity2 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 METALS Aluminum, metal, primary 125,000 140,000 129,000 103,000 95,796 Antimony, mine, ore: Gross weight 35,000 e 29,036 60,000 58,870 64,280 Sb content 8,060 r, e 7,000 e 14,000 e 14,000 e 15,240 Gold, mine, Au content kilograms 3,477 4,200 5,000 e 5,500 6,400 Lead, mine, concentrate: Gross weight 50,000 e 59,295 84,749 99,700 73,100 Pb content 28,000 36,000 51,000 60,000 44,000 Mercury, mine, ore, Hg contente 35 30 30 100 e 100 e Silver, mine, ore, Ag content kilograms 3,000 e 4,000 e 3,000 4,300 6,300 Zinc, mine, concentrate: Gross weight 97,000 r, e 100,000 r, e 145,000 r, e 183,714 166,461 Zn content 48,000 50,000 72,000 91,000 83,000 INDUSTRIAL MINERALS Cement, hydraulic thousand metric tons 1,150 1,418 1,361 3,117 3,844 Gypsum, mine 12,455 8,500 9,000 8,648 9,639 Salt 34,553 35,704 35,516 23,676 36,964 Sand and gravel, construction 494,000 666,000 e 730,700 r 1,670,000 e 3,410,000 MINERAL FUELS AND RELATED MATERIALS Coal: Bituminous 821,931 985,019 1,311,161 1,700,000 1,841,975 Lignite 103,954 56,200 50,414 68,000 65,080 Natural gas thousand cubic meters 3,216 4,102 2,900 2,522 1,623 Petroleum, crude 42-gallon barrels 179,640 r 180,540 r 183,250 r 171,310 175,470 eEstimated. rRevised. 1Table includes data available through July 23, 2019. All data are reported unless otherwise noted. Estimated data are rounded to no more than three significant digits. 2In addition to the commodities listed, a number of other mineral commodities may have been produced, but available information was inadequate to make reliable estimates of output.

Tajikistan—2017–2018 [ADVANCE RELEASE] 46.3 TABLE 2 TAJIKISTAN: STRUCTURE OF THE MINERAL INDUSTRY IN 20181

(Thousand metric tons unless otherwise specified)

Major operating companies and Annual Commodity major equity owners Location of main facilities capacitye Aluminum Tajik Aluminum Co. (TALCO) Tursunzade smelter, 60 kilometers 96 (Government, 100%) west of Dushanbe Antimony: Ore, gross weight mining-beneficiation complex (Comsup Dzhizhikrutskoye deposit, Sughd 64 Commodities Inc., 100%) Province Sb content of ore hydrometallurgical plant (Government, 100%) Isfara 15 Cement Chjuntsay-Taboshar Cement NA 600 Do. Chzhungtsai Mohir Cement Co. Plant at Yovon District, Khatlon 1,200 Province Do. Gayur-Sughd Cement (Tajik Gayur Co. and Plant at Babojon, District, 1,200 Huaxin Central Asia Investment) Sughd Province Do. Huaxin Gayur Cement Co. Ltd., 75%, and Gayur LLC, 25% Plant at Yovon, Yovon District, 1,200 Khatlon Province Do. JSC Tajikcement Ltd. Plant at Dushanbe 1,200 Do. LLC Tojikiston Plant at Kharangon village, 70 District Do. Isfarinsky Cement Isfara region 1,000 Do. Sarabansky Cement NA 70 Do. Taj-China cement plant (JV Tajikistan-China Co.) Plant at District 1,200 Coal Isfara hydrometallurgical plant (Government, 100%) Isfara 300 Do. Kaisun Energy Group Ltd. UP Fong- Mine, Pyandzh region 50 Do. OJSC Angisht Shurob region 32 Do. do. Brown coal deposit, Shurob region NA Do. SP Anzob do. NA Clay, loam do. Varzobskoye Ushchel'ye deposit NA Dolomite Yavan electrochemical complex Pashkharvoskoye deposit NA Fluorspar, concentrate Takob mining-beneficiation complex Takob and Krasnye Kholmy deposits 60 Gold: Ore, Au content kilograms Aprelevka joint venture (Government, 51%, and Aprelevka deposit 600 Central Asia Minerals and Resources through subsidiary Gulf International Minerals Ltd., 49%) Do. Arteli Odina Shungov Khovalin, Khatlon Province NA Do. kilograms Darvaz joint venture Yak-Suyskoye deposit, Khatlon Province 2,000 Do. do. LLC Pakrut [China Nonferrous Gold Ltd. (CNG), 100%] Pakrut Gold Project, southern portion 700 of the Tien Shan Fold Belt Do. do. JV Zarafshon Gold Company LLC [Zijin Mining Group Co. Ltd. Tilloi Tochik, Khatlon Province 600 (ZGC), 70%, and Government of Tajikistan, 30%] Do. do. do. Jilau, Khirskhona, Olympiyskoye, 4,600 and Taror deposits, Sughd Province Do. OOO Takom Gold NA NA Ore processing Kansayskaya factory Aprelevka, Burgunda, Kyzyl-Chek, NA and Shkol'noye deposits Do. Vostokredmet refinery Qizfaquz NA Lead-zinc Adrasman mining-beneficiation complex Adrasman, Sughd Province NA (Government, 100%) Do. Kansayskoye mining complex Karamazor region NA Do. Takaeliyskiy metallurgical complex NA NA Do. Tibet Summit Industry Co. Altyn-Topkan NA Do. Zarnisor Shimoli (Tajik-China Mining Co. Ltd.) Northern Altyn-Topkan and NA Pay Buloq Mercury, Hg content metric Anzob mining-beneficiation complex (Comsup Dzhizhikrutskoye deposit 150 of ore tons Commodities Inc., 100%) See footnotes at the end of table

46.4 [ADVANCE RELEASE] U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK—2017–2018 TABLE 2—Continued TAJIKISTAN: STRUCTURE OF THE MINERAL INDUSTRY IN 20181

(Thousand metric tons unless otherwise specified)

Major operating companies and Annual Commodity major equity owners Location of main facilities capacitye Petroleum: Crude thousand Beshtentyakskoye, Kichik-Belskoye, Shaambary, Southern Tajik depression 250 42-gallon barrels and Uzunkhorskoye deposits Refined do. OJSC Naftrason Kanibadam city, Sughd Province 513 Do. do. NA Turshzoda town, District 456 Salt Ashtskiy plant Kamyshkurganskoye deposit NA Do. Khoja-Sartez, Samanchi, and Tanabchi deposits NA NA Do. Voseyskiy plant Khodzha-Muminskoye deposit NA Sand and gravel Anvar LLC NA 58 Silver Adrasman mining-beneficiation complex Adrasman, Sughd Province NA (Government, 100%) Do. Aprelevka joint venture Aprelevka Mine NA Do. Nukrafom Co. (Silverhill Resources Ltd.) Kanjol ore field, Sughd Province, NA Do. kilograms JV Zarafshon Gold Company LLC [Zijin Mining Group Co. Ltd. Jilau Mine, Sughd Province 4,000 (ZGC), 70%, and Government of Tajikistan, 30%] Do. do. do. Taror Mine, Sughd Province 800 Do. Kytco BV Akjilga NA Stone: Marble Dal'yan Bolo deposit Ganchin region NA Do. Dashtak deposit Darvaz region NA Do. Jilikul deposit Pendzhikent region NA Limestone Dushanbe cement complex Kharangonskoye deposit NA eEstimated; estimated data are rounded to no more than three significant digits. Do., do. Ditto. NA Not available. 1Many location names have changed since the breakup of the Soviet Union. Many enterprises, however, are still named or commonly referred to based on the former location name, which accounts for discrepancies in the names of enterprises and locations.

Tajikistan—2017–2018 [ADVANCE RELEASE] 46.5