The mineral deposits of the Amantaytau area are located in the desert-like Kyzylkum Region of the Navoi Oblast.? The principal town of the region is Navoi which is the largest mining town in Uzbekistan, lying some 160km to the southeast of Amantaytau.? The area is connected to all major centres by paved road and railway.? The deposits are situated approximately 30km south of the town of Zarafshan, and to the southwest of the gold mining complex at Muruntau. Production to date has been from the Centralny, Vysokovoltnoye and Asaukak deposits. Generally, the climate of Uzbekistan is continental and arid, with hot summers and cool winters producing a wide range in diurnal temperatures and mining is achievable year round. The topography is typically flat terrain, with gentle hills and sparse vegetation, typical of semi desert steppe.