OREANDA-NEWS. January 29, 2015. Ministry of Investment and Development has presented the bill "On Precious Metals and Precious Stones" in the Majilis.

Vice Minister Albert Rau delivered a report to the House Committee on Finance and Budget. The purpose of the adoption of this bill is to create a single legislative framework of social relations regulation in the sphere of operations with precious metals and stones.

The harmonization of national legislation with the Eurasian Economic Union and the creation of conditions for development of jewelry industry in Kazakhstan are provided.

Now the draft law with accompanying amendments will be considered in the working group, headed by Majilis deputy Nikolay Kuzmin.

Refinery in Astana is not enough loaded with gold-bearing rock.

"It has a capacity of 25 tons of gold a year, last year the plant processed (raw materials - auth.) more than 10 tons," A. Rau said.

He added that there are three refineries operating in Kazakhstan - Kazzinc, Kazakhmys and a factory in Astana.

"We produce about 50 tons of gold in the country, the bulk of gold – more than 20 tons is processed only in Kazzinc, accordingly, another part – in Kazakhmys and the rest – in Astana, and only small part is exported to Russia," A. Rau said.

According to him, the raw material, which can not be processed in Kazakhstan for technical reasons, is exported to Russia.

When asked whether it is planned to build another refinery in the country, the Vice Minister said: "Three is enough for us".

Because of gaps in the law "black" miners are free to be engaged in gold mining in Kazakhstan.

According to him "there is legal vacuum" in this area in Kazakhstan for today.

"The so-called "black" miners can go to the plant's territory, which has a license to mine, and be engaged in "mining". But if he is caught with the gram, there is no responsibility, while you count the damage, it will turn out, there is nothing to punish for. That is why the norm is not regulated here," A. Rau said.

According to the vice minister, the norms of responsibility for the illegal traffic of precious metals have remained from the Soviet period in Russia and even provide for liability for gram obtained by unlawful means. Whereas in Kazakhstan there is no criminal and administrative responsibility for the illegal circulation of precious metals (mining, storing, purchasing, sales).

"As for Akmola Region, in particular, I know and have seen it with my own eyes in the mines. We have the same facts in the Zhambyl Region," A. Rau summed.