SOVIET GOLD MINING

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78T05161A000600010017-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 17
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 7, 2003
• Sequence Number: 17
• Publication Date: December 1, 1965
• Content Type: IR

Approved For Releas
PLuJ(MMM?.paE M4MIMOTHCC [UPD T
SOVIET GOLD MINING
M
AGERY
ALYSIS
NISION
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by NIMA/D D
CIA/PIR 6506CI
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An analysis of the four gold minin areas specified in the referenced
requirement is a.s follows (See Figure 1) :
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I kThis area, was observed on Mission 25
nd consists of a. large concentrator, an open-
pit mine and a, possible shaft mine. Extensive placer mining has
occurred in the stream immediately east of Nizhniy Khurana.kh (See
Figures 2, 3 and 4).
The concentrator measures approximately 180' x 305' and appears
to be completed except for a. small section in the southeast corner of
the building. The area around the concentrator is heavily scarred, shows
evidences of open trenches and contains six and possibly seven small
support-type buildings. No tanks or settling ponds were observed any-
where in the area..
NURATIN MOUNTAIN RANGE - A search of this area failed to reveal any
trenching, new villages or other indications of geological exploration
or mining (See Figure 5).
The mountain range does show evidences of grass cutting, which
accounts for the extensive and unusual light-toned patterns observed
on the southern slopes.
ZHOLYMBET - This area. was observed on photography 25
which revealed a concentrator building, two upuil-pi-u mines, a. possible
alluvial mine with concentration facilities and miscellaneous support
facilities (See Figures 6 and 7).
The main concentrator, located near the large open-pit mine, measures
240' x 245, a. as its own steam plant which was observed in operation
in The two largest buildings located at the probable
alluvial mine may also be concentrators. These structures measure
approximately 135' x 140' each. No settling tanks could be detected at
any of the concentrators.
MURUNTAU MOUNTAIN - A compa.rision of the latest cove
I with that used in CIA/IAD Report 30472-5
shows no significant change in either the housing area., support
ase or mining operation (See Figures 8, 9 and 10). Six barrack-type
buildings were erected in the southeast part of the housing area., and
evidences of new' geological exploration were noted approximately four
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CIA/PIR - 65060
kilometers east of the housing area. This new trenching covers a
relatively small area and is not presently significant. A small increase
in the amount of dark-toned spoil was observed at several mine sites
southwest of the support area.. No new shafts or other construction was
evident at the mines.
There continues to be an apparent absence of any ore concentration
facility, suggesting that ore is hand-sorted and shipped elsewhere for
processing.
All measurements were made by the CIA/IAD project analyst and should only
be considered as approximate.
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USAF Operational Navigation Chart, Sheets E-6, F-5 and F-6, 1st Ed.,
April 1961, April 1965 and May 1965, respectively, Scale 1:1,000,000
(CONFIDENTIAL)
CIA. C-RR5-82,!+03
CIA/IAD PROJECT
30280-6
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FIGURE 2
NIZHNIY KHURANAKH
GOLD MINING AREA
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 ZHOLYMBET
GOLD MINING AREA
EXPLOSIVES STORAGE
momwwm
OPEN PIT MINE
PROBABLE ALLUVIAL MI WITH CONCENTRATORS
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TOP SECRET
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TAILING POND
PIR - G-5060
FIGURE r
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SEE ENCLOSURES 9AMU]l
1
MURUN-TAU MOUNTAIN
GOLD MINING AREA
ISSR
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NEW GEOLOGICAL EXPLORATION
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TOP SECRET
MURUN-TAU MOUNTAIN
TOP SECRE
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 TOP SECRET
MURUN-TAU MOUNTAIN
GOLD MINING AREA
EXPLOSIVES STORAGE
MEMPNEW
USSR
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u{IGURE 10
VILLAGE
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