AzerGold’s Corporate Social Responsibility Committee meets with residents in Balakan

The Corporate Social Responsibility Committee of "AzerGold" Closed Joint Stock Company (CJSC) held a meeting with local residents in Balakan district on September 30.

Khayyam Farzaliyev, Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board of AzerGold, Chairman of the Corporate Social Responsibility Committee, and Turan Dibirov, First Deputy Head of the Executive Power of Balakan District, took part in the meeting with the residents of Garakli, Mahamalar, Mazymgaray, Salban villages located in the vicinity of Kohnamadan mine of "AzerGold" CJSC.

Khayyam Farzaliyev gave a speech at the meeting held with the view to determine social needs and discuss initiatives to be implemented in the future. Emphasizing that the mineralogical studies and re-evaluation have been completed in accordance with the requirements of international standards within the framework of the launch of "Filizchay" mine, which is one of the largest projects of AzerGold CJSC, the deputy chairman said that metallurgical studies are currently ongoing in order to develop optimal ore refinement schemes. K.Farzaliyev noted that the Company plans to start production works in the field in 2025 in a trial mode, while in the next years to launch an industrial-scale processing plant. Besides, projected exploitation period of the "Filizchay" promises billions of funds would be involved to the country's economy. It was added that putting the field into operation will make a significant contribution to the increase of employment with more than 1,000 new jobs and to the socio-economic development of Sheki-Zagatala economic region.

At the meeting, Turan Dibirov, the first deputy head of the Executive Power of Balakan District, spoke and expressed his confidence that the activities of "AzerGold" CJSC, based on best practice and standards in the field of mining, will have positive effects not only on the social and economic development of Balakan District, but also on the region as a whole.

The participants were also enlightened about the social projects implemented by AzerGold within the framework of work with the local population and communities. It was stated that the measures implemented within the framework of the Social Impact and Responsibility Policy of CSC, serve to care for the families living in the region where the mining activity is carried out.

Later, the appeals of the villagers were heard. The chairman of the committee gave instructions and recommendations regarding review of the appeals and subsequent actions to be taken. At the end of the event, the survey was conducted to determine the social needs of the villagers.

Notably, the CSR Committee will continue to hold traditional meetings with local residents of the regions where the Company operates.