In January – September 2006 gold prospecting companies of Irkutsk region reduced gold production by 8.1% - down to 11545 kg – due to exhausted condition of alluvial deposits.

The most significant fall in alluvial gold prospecting is observed at OJSC Lena Gold owned by OJSC Polyus Gold. The enterprises of the holding prospected 4214 kg – 20% decrease as compared with last year result.

The administration of the region admit that the quota for gold mining for 2006 - 19172 kg – will not be fulfilled.

The same situation is observed in many regions – in January – September 2006 total Russian alluvial gold production decreased by 2.5 tons or 6%.