Kyrgyzstan to resume state-funded geological exploration for first time in decades

Kyrgyzstan is set to restart state-funded geological exploration, a move not seen in decades, aiming to uncover new mineral deposits. Akyl Toktobaev, the Minister of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision, announced the initiative, highlighting that the country has discovered few new deposits in the last 30 years, with most reserves dating back to the Soviet period.

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After the collapse of the USSR, state geological exploration virtually ceased.

Toktobaev explained that state geological exploration largely halted after the Soviet Union's dissolution. However, with presidential support, funding is being reinstated. The government is identifying promising areas for prospecting and exploration, which will be conducted by state-owned enterprises to ensure reliable inventory accounting and state control over geological data.

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The task of state geological enterprises is to search for, explore, and replenish the country’s mineral resource base. This will ensure reliable inventory accounting and state control.

This development is expected to leverage existing infrastructure and generate employment for specialists, drillers, and other industry workers. While private investors will continue to operate, the state will maintain oversight of inventory and data accuracy. The minister emphasized that Kyrgyzstan possesses a wide range of minerals, with gold reserves estimated at one thousand tons, and an additional 50 tons expected to be added to the state balance in 2026.

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Private investors will continue to operate, but issues of inventory accounting and the reliability of geological data must be under state control.

Addressing environmental concerns, Toktobaev stressed that economic development should not compromise the environment. He stated that environmental protection is integral to the economy, and activities impacting glaciers, for instance, are legally prohibited.

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The environment must be an integral part of the economy. There are areas where mining is unacceptable. For example, any impact on glaciers is prohibited by law.