Uzbekistan, Turkey to jointly develop two gold deposits in Samarkand 

On October 25, 2018, the State Committee of the Republic Uzbekistan on Geology and Mineral Resources and TAŞYAPI Construction of Turkey signed an agreement for the development of two gold deposits in Samarkand region, the press service of the committee reported.

It is said that the sides will jointly explore and develop Galabulok and Kushtepa deposits in Samarkand. 

The Turkish company is planning to carry out drilling operations at the sites and to work out a preliminary viability study for the development project within four months.

Provided that the results of the first phase of the project are positive, the sides will conduct negotiations on the forms and conditions for mutual cooperation in the development of the deposits.

In accordance with the resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan dated 31 May, 2017, the gold-quartz and gold-sulphide-quartz ores at the two deposit sites are estimated to contain about 5.9 tons of gold.

The government of Uzbekistan has approved, in total, 31 promising sites as well as 12 deposits with estimated reserves of 151 tons of gold and 1.200 tons of silver.

The State Committee of Uzbekistan on Geology and Mineral Resources together with the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources of Turkey inked co-op agreements to study 3 prospective gold ore sites in Jizzakh and Navoi.