BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 22. The operating
period of the Chovdar gold mine has been extended until 2032,
Chairman of the Board of AzerGold CJSC Zakir Ibrahimov said at the
meeting chaired by President Ilham Aliyev,
dedicated to the draft State Program for the development of the
mining and metallurgical industry.
He recalled that operations at the Chovdar gold mine in
Dashkasan began in 2016, with the first export of gold-silver alloy
carried out in April the following year.
“At that time, the recoverable gold reserves of the deposit were
estimated at 179,000 ounces, and its operating period was expected
to end in 2021. As a result of optimization and large-scale
geological exploration carried out in subsequent years, reserves
were increased to 1.02 million ounces, while the operating period
was extended until at least 2032. Ore from the Marah, Agyokhush,
Tulallar and Chovdar deposits was combined for processing at a
single production facility – the Chovdar Integrated Regional
Processing Area. This ensured long-term and efficient production
continuity,” he said.
Ibrahimov said the company's areas of activity were
significantly expanded in subsequent years.
“In addition to non-ferrous metals, we began operations in
ferrous metal ores, and Dashkasan Iron Ore LLC was established for
this purpose. AzerBlast LLC also began operating in the production
and sale of industrial explosives.
“Modern technologies, including hyperspectral satellite imaging
and airborne electromagnetic surveys, have been applied in
geological exploration, helping identify new prospective areas, and
this process is ongoing,” he said.
Ibrahimov noted that in 2024, a tank leaching plant built using
the company's revenues and funds attracted from local banks was
commissioned at full capacity, enabling the processing of sulfide
ores from the Chovdar deposit.
“Since that year, AzerGold has also been authorized to represent
the state under the Production Sharing Agreement,” he added.
