AzerGold CJSC has moved to the next stage of development at the Soyudlu (Zod) deposit, considered the largest gold deposit in the Caucasus.
The first drilling and blasting operations were successfully completed as part of the mine’s preparation for production.
The first blast was carried out in accordance with the approved technical design and safety requirements. Prior to the blast, a secure perimeter was established, warning signals were issued, and necessary control measures were implemented. After the blast, specialists inspected the site to confirm its safety.
It should be noted that large-scale geological exploration, topographic surveying, and drilling to a total depth of 18,000 meters have been underway at the deposit since August 2025. Based on the results of geological and exploration work, recoverable remaining gold reserves at the Soyudlu deposit are estimated at 1.03 million ounces in accordance with the Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC) standard, an internationally recognized standard for assessing the economic viability of mineral deposits.
The initial blasting operations are an important step toward bringing the deposit’s resources into economic circulation and transitioning the mine to the active stage of production.
AzerGold CJSC has also begun implementing modern geotechnical monitoring technologies at the Soyudlu mine. Given the mine’s geotechnical instability and the activity of various exogenous geological processes, the GroundProbe SSR-OMNI slope stability radar monitoring system has been commissioned to continuously monitor their development.
The system is equipped with an early warning function, enabling the early identification of potential risks and the implementation of preventive measures to prevent landslides. The implementation of a safety system is aimed at protecting the lives and health of the population and personnel, ensuring the safety of heavy equipment during production processes, and preventing downtime and additional costs that could arise from potential landslides.
In parallel with the development of the deposit, work continues to develop technological solutions for ore processing. Based on the mineralogical and metallurgical characteristics of the Soyuldu ore, as well as the results of tests, the need for flotation technology in the initial processing stage has been established. In this regard, technical and economic assessments are underway to establish a modern flotation processing complex.
The commissioning of the mine will contribute to increasing the production potential of the country’s mining sector and increasing revenues to the state budget. It will also create conditions for the creation of new jobs in the Kelbajar region, stimulating the local economy, and supporting social development.
Currently, the Soyudlu project, including contractor employees, employs a total of 236 people. Of these, 55 are citizens registered in the Kelbajar district. Given the limited number of suitable candidates in the local labor market for mining positions requiring specialized qualifications, technical knowledge, and experience, specialists with relevant qualifications and experience from other regions have also been recruited to implement the project.
Approximately 700 direct and indirect jobs are expected to be created between 2026 and 2029, which encompass the initial operation and construction phase of the project. Once the Soyudlu mine enters full production, the number of direct and indirect jobs is expected to exceed 1,300. (Report)