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Vostokredmet (Industrial Association Eastern Combine for Rare Metals)

Location: Chkalovsk Tajikistan (40o14’55”N 69o41’48”E)

The enterprise is located in the western part of the Fergana Valley, one of the most picturesque areas in Central Asia. Divided between Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan, the Fergana Valley is one of the most densely populated agricultural and industrial areas in Central Asia. Vostokredmet consists of seven mines and five plants.

As one of the oldest Uranium mining and refining plants in the Soviet Union, Vostokeredmet was established as a large-scale uranium mining enterprise, processing deposits from Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. The company employed over 20 thousand people and processed Uranium concentrates originating in the underground leaching facilities in neighboring Uzbekistan.

When the Soviet Union fell apart in 1991, all the republics, including Uzbekistan, gained independence. Consequently, Vostokredmet lost its entire raw material base. Seeking new directions to survive, Vostokredmet rapidly converted to gold and silver refining and processing spent vanadium catalyzers. Intertech has supplied a turn-key Fire Assay laboratory and instruments for a wide range of ores, metals and environmental analyses.

The instruments (AA, ICP) manufactured by Thermo Jarrell Ash Corporation are the centerpiece of the laboratory.