Prime-TASS reports that about 60 tons of gold can be mined in Irkutsk region. This figure doesn’t include the reserves of the Sukhoi Log deposit. This information was given on April 12 by the deputy head of natural resources department of Irkutsk region Vladimir Sklarov. He informed that the cost of these resources amounted to over 20 bln roubles. In 2004 it is planned to conduct searching works on the north of the region. About 60 mln roubles will be allocated for geological works in 2004-2005.

The most interesting deposit of the region is the Sukhoi Log gold deposit, it is situated near Bodaibo area. In the ore of the deposit there were platinum and palladium found. According to preliminary estimations, the deposit’s exploitation will require $2 bln. The tender for its sale hasn’t taken place still due to force majeure circumstances.

In В 2004-2005 the administration of Irkutsk region plans to invest about 12 mln roubles for diamonds searching in the region. In particular, Kovinskaya deposit is supposed to have about 16 mln ct of gemstones. In general experts state that up to 420 mln ct can be mined at the region’s deposits. At the beginning of 2004 ALROSA Company got the licence for geological works in Katanga area. It intends to spend about 75 mln roubles for searching works in the region.