Russia to Auction Majority Stake in Gold Miner Yuzhuralzoloto by 2026
The Russian government has announced plans to sell a controlling stake in Yuzhuralzoloto (YUGK) through an open auction. This move follows the transfer of the company’s management to state ownership earlier this month. The decision has already triggered a rise in YUGK’s share price on the Moscow Exchange.
On July 15, the state property agency Rosimushchestvo took control of 67% of YUGK’s shares. The stake had previously belonged to the company’s founder, Konstantin Strokus. The Ministry of Finance initially aimed to complete the sale by the end of this year but later extended the deadline to the first half of 2026.
The auction process will mirror the sale of Domodedovo airport, ensuring transparency. Analyst Ahmed Aliev of T-Investments highlighted that the open auction format helped ease market concerns about unclear ownership changes. As a result, YUGK’s shares climbed by 7% on the Moscow Exchange following the announcement.
No confirmed date for the auction has been released yet. Additional details about the transaction remain limited, with no further updates expected until official sources provide clarification.
The sale of YUGK’s controlling stake will proceed under state supervision, with the auction designed to attract competitive bids. The government’s approach aims to maintain market confidence while completing the transaction by mid-2026. Investors have already responded positively, as shown by the recent share price increase.
