The gold output of Uzbek-British gold mining joint venture (JV)Amantaytau Goldfields is expected to soar to 250,000 ounces by 2010 compared with 98,050 ounces in 2006, the UK’s Oxus Gold, which owns 50% in the venture, said in a report distributed Wednesday.

The joint venture develops the Amantaytau lode gold deposit and the Vysokovoltnoye lode gold and silver deposit in Uzbekistan.

The company attributed the projected increase in gold production to the planned construction of a second stage of the gold mill at the Amantaytau deposit, at a cost of US$87.6 million.

Commencement of the project is slated for late 2007-early 2008. Currently, the feasibility study of the project is being considered by the Uzbek government and is expected to be approved sometime in July-September.

Oxus Gold plc owns 50% in Amantaytau Goldfields. Uzbekistan’s Geology and Mineral Resources State Committee has a 40% stake and Navoi Ore Mining and Metallurgical Plant, or NGMK, holds the remaining 10%.