PHNOM PENH: The commercial gold refinery plants have produced 9.5 tonnes of gold ore from the first commercial gold production in 2021 to the end of 2023.

The Ministry of Mines and Energy presented the figures in a video documentary on major achievements in the development of the energy, mines, and oil sectors, released on Jan. 3, 2024.

The government earned income from royalties of the mining sector at US$50 million in 2023, a significant increase compared to 2013, at only US$2 million.

“The vision of the Royal Government of Cambodia for the mining sector is to develop mine resources for economic and social benefits with good governance and high environmental responsibility,” the ministry said.

The Ministry of Mines and Energy has issued gold mining licenses to nine companies, of which six are in operation and three others are setting up business sites.

Those six operating companies include Renaissance Minerals (Cambodia) Ltd. in O' Khvav, Keo Seima district, Mondulkiri province; Xinshan in Phnom Mlong, Preah Vihear province; Delcom Cambodia in Phnom Mlong area, Preah Vihear province; Rong Cheng company in Chong Plas area, Mondulkiri province; Xing Yuan company in Otron area, Kratie province; and Late Cheng Mining Development Co., Ltd in Phnom Chi area, Kampong Thom province.