Sanakulov said that the commissioning of HMP-4 will become gift of NGMK to the 19th anniversary of Uzbekistan’s Independence. He said that the best NGMK specialists were attracted to implementation of this large project.

NGMK head said that the plant was constructed in record short term – 11 months. The plant, located at Zarkent settlement, will produce precious metals and provide jobs, as well as improves settlement’s infrastructure. Among commissioned objects are Culture House, Sport Complex, several houses and others, he added.

The company said that launch of HMP-4 will increase production of gold ore twice.

NGMK started to realize investment project on utilizing Zarmitan gold ore zone in 2007. The zone includes such fields as Zarmitan, Gujumsay and Promejutochnoye.

Total cost of the project is about US$330 million. It is planned to complete the project by 2012. The gold output will make up 10 tonnes. The combine finances the object due to own resources.

Within the first stage with the cost of US$114.6 million, it is planned to construct pit at the Zarmitan and the first line of HMP-4.

Russia NPO RIVS supplied equipment to the plant ZUMK-Engineering (Russia) and Altynkazgan (Kazakhstan) are carrying out contractor’s work.

In the second and third stages, it is planned to expand capacity of gold extraction facility up to 1.4 million and 1.8 million tonnes respectively, as well as construction of pits at Gujumsay and Promejutochnoye deposits.

NGMK is one of the largest gold producers in Central Asia. It also produces, enriches and exports uranium in Uzbekistan. The plant has two gold producing plants (HMP-2 in Zarafshan and HMP-3 in Uchquduq) and plant on processing uranium (HMP-1 in Navoi).