A map of Azerbaijan’s mineral resource potential, including the territories liberated from occupation, will be prepared.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that Zakir Ibrahimov, chairman of the Board of AzerGold CJSC, said this at a meeting chaired by President Ilham Aliyev on the State Program for the Development of the Mining (Metal Ores) and Metallurgy Industry for 2027-2030.
He said AzerGold is currently carrying out extensive work to expand the mineral resource base and launch operations at new mines.
“The process is being carried out in four main stages. During the initial prospecting and assessment stage, studies are continuing across 15,000 square kilometers with state budget funding, and the work is scheduled to be completed in 2027. As a result, a map of the country’s mineral resource potential, including the territories liberated from occupation, will be prepared. In the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, initial prospecting and assessment activities will be carried out by a joint venture planned under an agreement signed with a company from the United Arab Emirates with your participation.
“At the prospecting and assessment stage, work is currently continuing at 10 promising gold-copper sites, and this stage is also planned to be completed in 2027. During the preliminary exploration stage, the identification of economically viable reserves at five deposits is continuing. Preliminary resources totaling approximately 1.5 million gold-equivalent ounces have already been identified at the Goydag and Bashkend copper-gold deposits in Nakhchivan and the Mazimchay copper deposit in Balakan. Reserve calculations are continuing for the Nasirvaz gold deposit in Nakhchivan and the Tutkhun gold deposit in Kalbajar. At the final stage — detailed exploration and feasibility studies — three deposits are already being prepared for development. Approximately 1.03 million ounces of gold have been identified at Soyutlu, 246,000 ounces at Ortakend and resources equivalent to 4 million ounces of gold at Filizchay,” the chairman said.
