CENTRAL Asia Metals has increased production capacity of the solvent extraction and electro-winning (SX-EW) plant by 50% at Kounrad Copper Project in Kazakhstan. The additional capacity has been commissioned and the company is on track to achieve its 2015 production target of 13,000 tonnes.

LEADING minerals industry research organization AMIRA International has shared the outcomes of a new study showing that while collaborative research into the alumina industry is active and progressive, the nature of collaboration must be broadened.

DESPITE all the technology available in the mining sector, the industry still operates in many ways the same way it did 10 years ago, particularly in Australia. In order to overcome the current downturn and grow into the future mining needs to be more innovation hungry and forward thinking, according to Schneider Electric director Pacific - Software, James Balzary.

FOLLOWING a dramatic drop in revenue and exports in 2014-15 Australia’s mining industry is set to recover in the next 12 months. The substantial year-to-year volatility has been driven by increased production of some of Australia’s key resources, which resulted in a global oversupply and a subsequent slump in commodity prices.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is setting up a new fund to deal with the legacy of Soviet-era uranium mining and processing in the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

SIERRA Morena Exploration (SME) intends to spin off its tailings, clinker and slag retreatment projects in Kazakhstan into a new company called NEWCO. It believes the spin-off will enable each company to better target potential investors.

WHITE Cliff Minerals has defined maiden JORC 2012 resources for the Aucu gold and Chanach copper deposits in the Kyrgyz Republic. The resources validate the company’s development strategy.

The total JORC-compliant resource for Chaarat Gold’s Chaarat project in the Kyrgyz Republic has increased by 15.4% from 5.3 million ounces of gold to 6.1 million at a grade of 3.2 grams/tonne. The company says that a further 6500 metres of drilling on the deposit has given it a far better understanding of the project.

KAZAKHMYS PLC has acquired the Koksay Copper Project in southeast Kazakhstan. The project, which will be the company’s third major growth project, is at scoping stage and has a total resource of about 3.4 million tonnes of copper with an average grade of 0.48% and with by-products of gold, silver and molybdenum.

Holdings has signed an agreement with China Nonferrous Metal Industry’s Foreign Engineering and Construction Co Ltd (NFC) to complete the definitive feasibility study (DFS) for the Chaarat Gold Project in the Kyrgyz Republic. The work will be carried out by NFC’s affiliated design institute China Nerin Engineering Co Ltd (NERIN) and is expected to be concluded during the first half of 2015.

The World Nuclear Association (WNA) is the international organization that represents the global nuclear industry. Its mission is to promote a wider understanding of nuclear energy among key international influencers by producing authoritative information, developing common industry positions, and contributing to the energy debate, as well as to pave the way for expanding nuclear business.

Agneta Rising became director general of the World Nuclear Association on January 1, 2013, having previously held the position of vice president environment at Vattenfall AB. Previously she was director for Nuclear Business Development at Vattenfall Generation.

By Dr Jonathan Cobb, senior communication manager, World Nuclear Association

THE availability of uranium resources around the world is a critical variable in the long-term viability of the nuclear industry. Central Asia has become a key supplier of uranium to the global market, and shows every sign of continuing to do so for the foreseeable future.

THE environmental and social impact process (OVOS) for Manas Resources’ Shambesai Gold Project has been approved by the Kyrgyz State Agency for Environmental Protection and Forestry. The OVOS is the main environmental approval required for Shambesai to proceed through to production.

TRENCHING and rock sampling at White Cliff Minerals’ Chanach Copper-Gold Project in the Kyrgyz Republic has identified a new copper and gold deposit. The Aucu prospect occurs 2km north-northwest of the Chanach copper deposit and consists of three mineralized zones.

CENTRAL Asia Metals is increasing capacity of the solvent extraction-electrowinning (SX-EW) copper recovery plant at its Kounrad project in Kazakhstan through a number of planned capital programs. The initial upgrade to the plant’s infrastructure will consist of the installation of two additional coal fired boilers at a capital cost of US$2.2 million, bringing boiler capacity to 14MW.

THE first ever coal quality results from the Kokkia area of Celsius Coal’s Uzgen Basin Coking Coal Project further improve the overall coking properties of the project. The raw coal laboratory tests confirm good coking properties in all four holes tested.

HAMBLEDON Mining has raised about 1.93 million pounds in a placement through JSC Visor Capital, a Kazakh focused investment bank. Proceeds will be used for general working capital purposes and are expected to increase the company’s flexibility in securing funding requirements for full-scale development of the underground mine at Sekisovskoye.

Leading US global off-road tyre company Eurotire has appointed a new leadership team in Central Asia. Yuriy Tarabukhin has taken on the role of regional business manager, bringing extensive experience as an innovative manager and leader in technology-based organizations.