Kyrgyzstan develops gold mine operated by a Canadian company | Business and Economic Affairs

Bishkek and Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan – In the early 1990’s, it was hoped that a large gold mine in eastern Kyrgyzstan, near the Chinese border, would expose the country’s independent economy by disrupting Soviet medieval plans.

But after 30 years in office, Kumtor for many has come to represent some of the world’s most advanced problems: corruption, environmental degradation, and neocolonial greed.

In May, it became clear that black clouds had gathered at Centerra Gold Inc, a Canadian-registered company operating the highest-grade mine, 26 percent by the Kyrgyz government.

First, the court ruled that the mine violated environmental standards by dumping it
mining debris on glaciers, a move that caused their slow erosion and cost the state $ 3bn.

Shortly afterwards, parliament supported the idea of ​​a special Commission in Kumtor to set up state mines for three months.

On May 14, President Sadyr Japarov approved the plan, which put the mine back in the hands of the government.

Later, several prominent politicians accused of money laundering related to Kumtor were arrested.

In response, Centerra Gold filed lawsuits against the government against what he saw as a breach of contract.

Its Kyrgyz factions – Kumtor Gold Co and Kumtor Operating Co – have applied for bankruptcy in a US court and the company has reportedly demanded compensation from the government.

“In 1994, after the people of Kyrgyz gained independence and with our help, we began building the Kumtor Gold Mine with an 18-year-old life. To date, our collections are unique in that engineers around the world come to study,” said Scott Perry, President and CEO of Centerra. he wrote in words.

“The confiscation of the mine is due to lies and fraud that destroy everything we have built together. We fear that the government’s actions will not help pay for jobs and businesses for hundreds of Kyrgyz people. ”

Known as the ‘source of inspiration for the elect’

Tensions escalated in Centerra following the January presidential election, which took place Japarov sweep up to victory after a campaign to promise to revive the country.

He was elected president of the country as interim president and prime minister following a series of threats to the country’s anti-corruption rhetoric and by-elections, the third election since independence.

And it was gold that made him so strong.

A few months before his victory, he was released from prison for 11 and a half years for robbing a local worker during a protest rally against Kumtor.

Since 2013, it has been notorious for its crackdown on foreign corporations accusing them of using Kyrgyzstan’s limited resources.

Many exhibits show the open Kumtor gold mine at an altitude of about 4,000 meters (13,123 feet) above sea level in the Tien Shan Mountains, Kyrgyzstan [File: Vladimir Pirogov/Reuters]

He believes that the elite in this country are benefiting from harm to the people and the environment.

Many locals feel the same way.

“Over 30 years of economic activity, naturalization has been recognized by the people as something of value,” Asel Doolotkeldieva, a researcher at the Kyrgyz capital in Bishkek, focused on economic issues, told Al Jazeera.

“They believe that investors, along with the elite, want to get rich, throw things away and leave as soon as they can.

“Manufacturing companies provide only 3 percent of the workforce in the country. People are using mines, jobs are being cut off, the government is prosperous but rural areas, despite having other development activities, do not see it affecting their lives. ”

Issyk-Kul is home to Kumtor, one of the world’s largest mines, and the birthplace of President Sadyr Japarov. [Agnieszka Pikulicka-Wilczewska/Al Jazeera]

At the same time, there are concerns about the environmental impact of mining.

“The waste is stored on glaciers, and according to estimates, the extinction of Kumtor’s depletion will be 1.8 billion tons. Syr Daria, the largest river in central Asia, “Kalia Moldogazieva, a conservationist, told Al Jazeera.

“We have discussed the Kumtor project from the outset because it is located in a mountainous area. The glaciers melt due to extreme temperatures in any case and in Kumtor, they are also affected by the causes of the disease.”

Japarov mine support

In February 1995, Murat was unprepared for the job. The temperature was -45 degrees Celsius (-49 degrees Fahrenheit) while his feet touched a mountain that should be the pride of Kyrgyzstan.

Freezing temperatures of 4,000 feet (13,123 feet) above sea level make it difficult to breathe.

“I have never seen anything like it. “We felt like we were in another world,” said Murat, 59, who worked in Kumtor for eight years. [company bosses] he invited us to dine at a hall that looked like a restaurant. Then he gave us canned coke. This was the first time I had ever seen it. ”

He resigned in 2003, and by this time he had completed a house project on Lake Issyk-Kul, Japarov’s hometown, and had been supporting his brothers for many years.

The work in Kumtor was difficult, says Murat, but the company was a fair-minded fellow.

Extra time was paid twice, security was paramount and he was happy to be able to work with the most recent technology.

“We receive medals every five years, clothes, gifts. He was good to us and at the time we were
we think only of ourselves, our families, money. Everyone wants to get rich. ”

Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Japarov speaks after voting on a referendum in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, April 11, 2021 [File: Sultan Dosaliev/Kyrgyz Presidential Press Service/Handout via Reuters]

But over time, Murat changed his mind. Today, he is happy with President Japarov’s plans to reform the country.

“Kyrgyzstan was not ready for this. We agreed to remove the gold very early. Our technology was not good enough to work high in the mountains, cold. Now we need Japarov. We’re done with these lies. ”

Murat shows pictures of his Kumtor age and a strong excitement seizes him.

Soon, he struggles to find a small book: Japarov’s poems written by his followers are still in prison.

“Sadyr will be released! He will accomplish that task! He was punished for no reason, if someone like him came to power, he would cleanse our country. ”

View all Kumtor mine in Kyrgyzstan [File: Vladimir Piragov/Reuters]

Additional reports of Aigerim Turgunbaeva: @AigiTurgunbaeva