KHUJAND, January 7, 2009, Asia-Plus -- The Sughd-based open joint-stock company (OJSC), Adrasman Ore Refinery, has not been in operation since December 1, 2008.

According to the ore refinery director Barot Karimov, the enterprise has suspended operation following the ongoing global financial crisis and decrease in product prices.

“However, Kazakh investors are continuing to fund the plant,” said Karimov, “They remit 50,000 US dollars every month for payment of workers’ wages and maintenance of mines and the enterprise as a whole.”  150 people currently work with the Adrasman ore refinery.

Joint-stock company (JSC), Konimansour, which is owner of the ore refinery, fulfilled the more than $2 million investment plan designed for 2008 completely.  Six heavy dumpers, one crane and surface and underground loaders were purchased from China last year.  Besides, special mining equipment was purchased from Russia and Belarus.  Karimov noted that the enterprise was expected to resume operation on February 15.

Established in 1967, the Adrasman ore refinery is engaged in mining and processing of lead ore for producing led-silver concentrate.  The plant’s rated capacity is more than 650,000 tons of ore a year.  The ore refinery was purchased by Kazakhstan’s KazInvest-Mineral in July 2006 for 11 million somoni.

Under an agreement concluded between KazInvest-Mineral, which assumed the 100 percent ownership interest in the or refinery, and Kazakh company North Time last year, 74 percent of shares in the ore refinery were transferred to North Time.