Kyrgyzaltyn: Saimaluu- Tash nature reserve not to be destroyed  

Kyrgyzaltyn JSC stated that the company was not going to destroy Saimaluu- Tash nature reserve to restart Makmal deposit.

The reserves of the gold field, that ensures operation of Makmal plant in Jalal-Abad region, will run out in 2017. Kyrgyzaltyn is looking for an investor to continue operation of the industrial complex.

There is another problem: for more than four years Kyrgyzaltyn is waiting for government permission to conduct exploration on Kyldoo field. According to forecasts, there are about 5 tons of gold. Field exploration permit is an important point for future investors.

This year, the government first talked about a possible transformation. However, the snag is that Kyldoo field belongs to Saimaluu -Tash nature reserve. National legislation prohibits economic activity on the territory of historical and cultural monuments. The government has decided to withdraw Kyldoo from Saimaluu -Tash national park.

After the information became known to the public, civil society activists and archaeologists spoke out against the transformation of the land.

However, Kyrgyzaltyn believes their fears are unfounded. The land was studied by the National Academy of Sciences before proposing the transformation. 

"According to its conclusion, the nearest archaeological monument (petroglyphs) is located eight kilometers to the north-west of Kyldoo field. This is a large distance. Therefore, field exploration and development can not negatively affect the preservation of historical monuments and Saimaluu- Tash nature reserve," Kyrgyzaltyn noted.

As of today, Makmalzoloto plant has more than 1,100 employees. Budget of Toguz-Toroo district is virtually formed at the expense of the enterprise contributions. The region is remote, it is minimally subsidized because of the plant's allocations. 

"In the case when Kyrgyzaltyn gets the rights to develop Kyldoo, revenues to the republican and local budgets in the form of taxes, social, customs duties and other charges will increase," the company concluded.