Kyrgyzstan Begins Development of Large Titanomagnetite Deposit

Kyrgyzstan has begun developing its largest titanomagnetite deposit, Kyzyl-Ompol, in the Issyk-Kul region. Speaking at the launch ceremony on September 25, the Chairman of the Kyrgyz Cabinet of Ministers, Akylbek Japarov, emphasized that the state will develop and finance this strategic deposit. "This is a very important event for Kyrgyzstan. The Kyzyl-Ompol deposit contains millions of tons of titanomagnetite. Titanium is valuable in various industries, including medicine, aviation, and space. The development of this deposit will allow us not only to increase exports but also to create new jobs, which will give an impetus to developing the country's economy," Japarov said. Japarov also emphasized the importance of an environmentally friendly approach to the deposit's development, saying that technologies used to extract titanomagnetite will guarantee the safe extraction of associated minerals such as uranium and thorium. Early in June, the Kyrgyz parliament approved a government bill lifting a ban on the mining of uranium and thorium that had been in place since 2019. The move caused environmental concerns in Kyrgyz society, as the country still works on the rehabilitation and conservation of radioactive uranium waste sites left over from the Soviet era. The ban was lifted to start the mining of titanomagnetite, which is accompanied by uranium and thorium. The government plans to process both elements at the Kara-Balta Mining Combine, some 100 km west of Bishkek.