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'The possession of Siberia's natural wealth has become vital in determining Russia’s position in the world'
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New gold rush in Siberia?

By 0 and 0 and 0
19 October 2015

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One - perhaps optimistic - prediction is that prospectors could earn $410,000 on their plots over five years. Picture: Sergey Karpukhin

The region of Magadan is poised to receive a federal go ahead allow gold panning, with prospectors allocated 0.15 square kilometres of land to seek their fortune. 

One - perhaps optimistic - prediction is that prospectors could earn $410,000 on their plots over five years based on predictions that each segment of land would not contain more than 10 kilograms of gold. As in other regions, panning is currently illegal in Magadan, notorious in the Soviet era for its GULAG labour camps, some of them involved in gold mining. 

Officials say that legalising small scale gold prospecting will halt a black market that may cost Russia ten per cent of the value of the precious metal mined annually in the country. Russian premier Dmitry Medvedev has paved the way to new legislation which could be extended to other areas after the trial in Magadan. 

Vice-Governor Boris Zhuravlev believes that when individual gold panning is allowed, with a simplified selling system and tax incentives, it will give impetus to the development of small and family businesses. 'We hope to decrease the outflow of population from the north, the region will be more attractive for living,' he said. 

Gold panning


Gold panning


Gold panning


Gold panning

The first championship of gold panning in Magadan was held on July 18, 2015. Pictures: Alexander Krylov

'According to preliminary estimates, we can get 250-300 kg of gold from private miners per year. Note that this is without any additional investments. Adoption of the law will add new sources of revenues, and reduce budget expenses by cutting the number of unemployed.'

The predictions of the benefits seem optimistic but while he admits there are risks, he is certain the move will be advantageous. 'Now we are working on ways of reducing the negative impact on the environment, to ensure the safety of the work, and for example stipulate the list of equipment for the mining fields.'

Blasting will be prohibited, and excavations below five metres restricted. Under the plans, foreigners will not be able to take advantage of the new rules. 

One expert involved in drawing up the plans disputed a local media claim of potential earnings of $410,000. He suggested 100,000 roubles a year - around $1,615 - was a more likely sum. While the plots will be available to the permit holder for five years, panning is possible for probably only three months a year in a region which lies just below the Arctic Circle. 

Gold smuggling

FSB officers found 1.7 kilograms of gold in a car. The value was at least 1.5 million roubles. Picture: FSB department in Magadan region

The following cases of police action against illegal gold miners highlights why officials believe a change of approach is needed:

September 21: Local resident found about 3 kilograms of gold in a disused mine using a metal detector. He tried to sell it but was caught by police. 

September 22: Passenger on a Magadan-Moscow flight was detained at the airport with 3.8 kilograms of gold. 

October 7: Passenger tried to smuggle 3.7 kilograms of gold sand in four packages attached to his body. Experts estimate the value of gold as 9 million roubles. 

October 8. FSB officers found 1.7 kilograms of gold in a car. The value was at least 1.5 million roubles. 

October 12. Resident of Ingushetia, 52, jailed for two years seized on Novosibirsk railway station transporting 10 kilograms of gold from Magadan to his home region. The value was put at 16 million roubles.

Comments (4)

That’s a shame about your laws. You must all stand together Patriots and change your state!! You have such riches of gold, opals, all colors of diamonds just laying on top of the ground?!I don’t know how you could stand NOT to pick it up! I would HAVE to! I am a miner in USA and I believe you too deserve a free nation. Fight for it through law, voting and banning together to do it!! You could all be the wealthiest people on Earth with the riches in your ground. God Bless and Good Luck !!
Goldie, Usa
30/05/2019 12:13
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It would be useful for the RUSSIAN Govt to allow free movement of gold as with people.

Foreign interests even in small numbers would increase foreign investments. All gold must be sold to the state but that's an acceptable approach.

Perhaps President Putin will consider allowing others to enjoy Russian hospitality. Some may even remain to build the country.

Clive
Clive , Jamaica
19/12/2018 01:37
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Agree, let people get a prospecting license and prosper on land they live. Government cant own the land, people electing government own it. In Australia, the treasures and gold nuggets found in depth up to a few meters belong to a finder, below that belong to Queen. I'm waiting when my home country completely disconnect from Gulag mentality. From confiscate-jail to manage-permit-buy at market price. the detectors should be allowed.
Vic, Australia
14/10/2016 13:06
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This is why we hate the Russian government. It is a crime to jail someone for panning for gold. You need to free anyone formerly charged, expounge their record, return their gold and pay damages.

I applaud moving forward in the right direction but the new Russian does not yet see even remotely free.
The Frontiersman, Prosper, TX
23/10/2015 02:25
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