16,000 hectares of area to be given to Kumtor gold mine do not include Sarychat-Ertash Reserve

AKIPRESS.COM - Reports alleging that 16,000 hectares of area, which will be given to the Kumtor gold mine based on the new strategic agreement, included the Sarychat-Ertash Reserve are untrue, Chairman of the Board of Kyrgyzaltyn Almaz Alimbekov said.
It means no geological exploration was held in the territory of the Sarychat-Ertash Reserve, he said.
"Geological exploration was done only within the quarry, in the flanks of the Central Pit, Southwest Pit, and North-Eastern Working Zones in 841 hectares out of total 26,000 hectares. The Kyrgyz Government did not restore the land plot, which was registered by the company in accordance with the current land legislation based on agreements ratified by the Parliament on the project Kumtor on June 6, 2009, according to which the concession was granted until 2042 with an area of 26 thousand hectares. 16,000 hectares were provided in 2009 in exchange for raising the share of Kyrgyzstan from 15% to 33% in the mining company. An additional tax base of 13 +1% was also provided," he said.