http://af.reuters.com/article/namibiaNews/idAFLDE7490UA20110510"I...

http://af.reuters.com/article/namibiaNews/idAFLDE7490UA20110510

"It's not easy to work in the Russian-speaking world," Golan said. "There is a very developed legal system, the environmental regulations are as strict as Europe or the United States, and bureaucracy can be a hassle.

"But what has happened in Namibia, for example, would not happen in Kyrgyzstan, which has never nationalised any mining project."

Namibia's mining minister Isak Katali has announced legislation that would hand over mining and exploration rights in the southern African nation to state-owned firm Epangelo Mining. [ID:nLDE7440M5]

The policy was confirmed by the cabinet late last week, and raised concern from international investors about the future of mining in the mineral-rich country, which has deposits of uranium and where foreign firms are also exploring gold, zinc and iron ore.

"Chinese companies are sitting on tonnes of money and are not afraid to trade in places like Kyrgyzstan. They will benefit, as will the Indians companies. They are not afraid of Russian-speaking countries," Golan said. (Reporting by Sue Thomas; editing by James Jukwey)"