DUSHANBE , April 25, Asia-Plus - Kazakhstan ’s company “Kazinvest Mineral” intends to invest in modernization of the Adrasman ore refinery in northern Tajikistan . .

The Kazakh company’s top manager Rakhat Kereytbayev remarked this at a briefing in Dushanbe yesterday following the 4 ^th session of the Tajik-Kazakh commission for economic and trade cooperation.  

 According to him, his company has been cooperating with the Tajik plan for a year.  “To date, US$600,000 have been already assimilated on the modernization of the Adrasman ore refinery,” said Kazakh entrepreneur, “We have drafted a business-plan under which we plan to invest further US$10 million – US$12 million in the modernization and reconstruction of this enterprise.” 

The project provides for replacement of the existing technologies, restoration of the rated capacity determined at processing of 500,000 tons of ore and production of 10,000 tons of silver-lead concentrate.  

According to the source, the Kazakh side has already applied to Tajikistan ’s government asking for participation in privatization of the Adrasman ore refinery.  At present some 400 people are provided with permanent jobs at this plant. 

The “Kazinvest Mineral” company is also considering the possibility of participation in development of the lead-zinc deposits of Atyn-Topsan and Paybuloq in the northern province of Sughd.   “At present we are waiting for the results of feasibility studies conducted for these deposits,” Kereytbayev said.  

Besides Tajikistan , “Kazinvest Mineral” is also working in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan on development of polymetals.