Copper and gold mining has been advancing since 2002 with development and launch of operations at Drmbon deposit.[14] Approximately 27-28 thousand tons (wet weight) of concentrates are produced[15] with average copper content of 19-21% and gold content of 35-55 g/t.[16] The mine is one of the biggest taxpayers of Nagorno-Karabakh[17] and employs 1200 workers of which 65% are local citizens.[18]