Kyrgyzstan wants to cancel the ban on development of uranium and thorium mines
Kyrgyzstan proposes to lift the ban on exploration and exploitation of uranium and thorium deposits. The ban was introduced in December 2019 after the "uranium conflict".
The Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Control of Kyrgyzstan announced for public discussion the draft law on the cancellation of the ban on research, exploration and exploitation of uranium and thorium deposits.
The State Agency for Environmental Protection and Forestry, which is responsible for the draft of the law, said that this ban exacerbated the negative consequences of international and national crisis situations on the country's economy and overall development.
"Given the severe economic consequences of the events of 2020-2023, the Kyrgyz economy urgently needs other sources of income," the authors of the bill say.
Before the work, the draft law will be posted on the portal for public discussion country Sadir Japarov, a resident of P , gave an interview and called on " not to panic " regarding the issue of uranium.
"We can say that the second Kumtor (gold mine in Kyrgyzstan) has been opened. There are about 10 mines there. We generate over $2 billion in net profit from a single mine. Last year, the net profit of "Kumtor" exceeded 300 million dollars, the company paid about 30 billion s o m in taxes. If this industry starts to work, it will be beneficial for the people and the state, " the head of Kyrgyzstan explained .
The president noted that the amount of uranium contained in titanomagnetite is minimal and does not pose a danger. He also emphasized the need to treat enriched uranium with care and to plan the reclamation of the site after mining.
The law banning the development of uranium and thorium mines was introduced in December 2019 after the "uranium controversy" involving petitions and rallies against uranium mining at the Taş-Bulak mine. The government stopped the work in this area, and then the parliament completely banned the development work .
