Description Orsu Metals looks for its gold in the high country. The former European Minerals, which changed its name after its 2008 acquisition of Lero Gold for about $60 million, explores in the mountains of Central Asia. Orsu now has three operating gold projects: Talas and Tokhtazan, both in Kyrgystan; and Karchiga in Kazakhstan. In 2009, hoping to raise cash that would eliminate its debt load, the company sold its Varvarinskoye properties to Polymetal for $235 million. The Varvarinskoye gold-copper deposit in Kazakhstan had been the company's focus prior to the deal.