As it has been reported by IA Baikal News Service, on April 15, 2004, the Ministry of Natural Resources of Russia held a meeting devoted to the conditions of the Sukhoi Log gold ore deposit auction. The results of the meeting are still unknown.

The governor of Irkutsk region said in an interview that the position of the region?s administration remains the same ? the tenders should have the form of investment contest.

The resources of the deposit are estimated at 1.029 thou tons of gold. The development of the deposit will require about $1 bln. Among the auction?s possible participants there are MMC Norilsk Nickel, Polimetall, Base Element Companies, British Fleming Family&Partners, Canadian Barrick Gold and international Rio Tint? Companies. It was expected that the tender would have been announced in the first quarter of 2004.