“The deposits can not be given to investors through an auction”, member of the Association of Miners and Geologists Kartaybek Mukambetov said at a round table discussion.
According to him, during the years of independence, Kyrgyzstan has failed to establish mining production management.
“The created committee has not yet shown an effective work. The State Agency worked poorly. The situation has changed a bit now. The authorities ignore proposals of the Association. We believe that the issue of mining licenses procedure should be changed. The process should take place in two stages. Winner – depending on the volume of deposit – must submit a feasibility study with determined economic, technical and environmental aspects. In addition, it is necessary to work with the local population. Ultimately, profit should be estimated, and then it should be divided between Kyrgyzstan and the investor”, Kartaybek Mukambetov said.
He added that when people see the scenario, the discontent would be relieved.
“The investor will work quietly. There is resentment while there is no order. The government has almost no control over the development of deposits. Unskilled people – in exchange for bribes – often work there. Before you enter into a contract with an investor, you must have a geological evaluation of deposits. We consider it unacceptable to hold an auction. The deposits are sold at unreasonable prices”, Kartaybek Mukambetov noted. (24.kg/Business World Magazine)