Gold - The Times Of Central Asia

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Gold Reserves in Kyrgyzstan May Reach Up to 4,000 Tons

Kyrgyzstan holds over 5,000 deposits of various minerals, including valuable resources such as gold, rare earth elements, uranium, and thorium. This was announced by Deputy Minister of Natural Resources Narynbek Satybaldiev during a briefing. According to official state data, Kyrgyzstan has just over 1,000 tons of confirmed gold reserves. However, geologists estimate that the country's total potential exceeds 4,000 tons. Many deposits are complex, containing other metals such as antimony, copper, and zinc alongside gold. Satybaldiev highlighted that the recent lifting of a moratorium on deposit development presents new opportunities for mining gold and other strategically important metals essential for the global economy. The Kyrgyz government is developing a comprehensive strategy to fully utilize its mineral resources. The plan includes exploration, mining, and processing initiatives, with a particular focus on rare earth metals. These resources are critical for producing high-tech products and advancing green energy technologies. The implementation of this strategy is expected to boost mining revenues, strengthen Kyrgyzstan's economic independence, and attract foreign investment. In June 2024, Kyrgyzstan lifted a ban on developing uranium and thorium deposits, a restriction that had been in place since 2019. The decision reflects the government’s aim to balance environmental safety with the need to harness strategically important resources for economic growth. The policy change is expected to attract investment, create jobs, and increase revenues from mineral exports.

Economy Gold mining in central asia Gold Trade National Bank

Kyrgyzstan Removes Restrictions on Sale of Gold

In early September, a state-owned store selling gold bars opened in Bishkek where gold can be bought without the presentation of a passport. Kyrgyzaltyn OJSC has already reported record sales, topping 50 million KGS ($585 thousand), and providing the store with a net income of 3 million KGS ($35 thousand). Changes in the law which previously allowed gold bars to only be bought in limited amounts through the National Bank of Kyrgyzstan, were instigated by President Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyz, who explained: “The National Bank does not sell bullion without a passport. Businessmen and rich people approached me - worried that if they started showing their documents - the whole of Kyrgyzstan would know about it, including robbers. Businessmen said they would have to stay in their houses and guard the gold,” Having lifted restrictions, Sadyr Japarov called on citizens to buy domestic gold, recommending it as a reliable and profitable investment. The Kyrgyzaltyn store sells gold bars weighing from 1 to 100 grams, each carrying an individual QR code confirming the gold's origin. Prices for the sale and repurchase of gold are set daily, based on London Bullion Exchange quotations. Kyrgyz economists believe that the growth of investment in gold indicates an increase in confidence in this asset. “In Kyrgyzstan, this trend is influenced by several factors. Global instability and fluctuations in currency markets make people look for more reliable assets. Declining yields on bank deposits are also pushing for alternatives. In addition, inflation expectations encourage people to convert their savings into gold,” economist Nurgul Akimova told The Times of Central Asia. Kyrgyzstan has about 380 gold deposits, the largest of which is Kumtor in Issyk-Kul Oblast. The republic's mining sector produced over 20 tons of gold in 2023.

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Changing Volumes of Gold Mined in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan

According to data issued by the U.S. Geological Service, in 2023, 130 tons of gold were mined in Kazakhstan and 100 tons in Uzbekistan. Kazakhstan's volume increased by 15 tons compared to 2022, whilst Uzbekistan's decreased by 4 tons. Russia produced 310 tons of gold, equivalent to that mined the previous year. Worldwide, 3,600 tons of gold were produced in 2023, 60 tons less than in 2022. The U.S. Geological Survey has yet to release the latest estimate of gold production in Kyrgyzstan but according to data, the country mined 25.3 tons in 2022. As of September 1, Uzbekistan’s international reserves reached $39.15 billion; a record indicator since data disclosure began in 2018. The National Bank of Kazakhstan counts the country’s gold and foreign exchange reserves in February 2024 at $36.1 billion. In 2014, this indicator was at $26.05 billion, meaning that over the past ten years, the volume of gross international reserves has increased by $10 billion (+38.6%).

Gold Mining Gold Gold mining in central asia Kumtor Economy

Kumtor: Drop In Gold Production No Cause For Concern

Kyrgyzstan's largest gold mining company, Kumtor, has announced a decrease in gold production. However, authorities assure that this is temporary. In 2023, Kumtor Gold Company produced 13.5 tons of gold, less than planned; the professional community even began to talk about the mine's imminent depletion. However, the company itself hastened to reassure citizens. The company's representatives commented: “Reduced gold production targets are common due to the low grade of gold in commercial ore mined at Kumtor. The mining of low-grade ore will continue for some time. In the future, gold production is expected to increase to 17-18 tons gradually. This takes into account the implementation of projects for underground mining of gold-containing ore and processing waste ore from the tailings pond.” It is worth noting that all of Kyrgyzstan is watching the volume of gold production, as Kumtor's share of the country's GDP is almost 10%. In 2023, the company paid more than $200 million to the country's budget. After nationalization in 2021, foreign experts predicted a rapid closure of production. Allegedly, the gold extracted by open-pit mining at the mine is running out. “Right now, the ore is poor," responded Cabinet Chief Akylbek Japarov to the criticism. "We plan to mine 14 tons each. Previously, we were getting 17 tons. This happens in geology.” However, the low figures have forced the country's authorities to reconsider their approach to mining. Gold will now be mined underground. In addition, it was announced that the processing of gold in Kumtor's tailings pond will begin soon. Specialists of the Institute of Geology at the National Academy of Sciences confirmed to The Times of Central Asia information about the reduction of precious metals in the area of the open pit at Kumtor. Earlier, there were 7 grams of gold per ton of ore; today, it is 5 grams. “But the gold is not running out. There is still quite a lot of gold at Kumtor - over a thousand tons. But everything depends on the areas that are going to be developed. Part of the gold-bearing strip is under glaciers,” said geologist Rozalia Jenchuraeva. The Institute of Geology recommends that the government quietly conduct exploration and not rush to mine gold hidden under glaciers, as this could damage the ecology. “There is still enough gold at Kumtor, and you don't have to worry about it. Although gold mined underground will be more expensive, this method will have less impact on the melting of glaciers. The depth of gold content will probably change, but we will have enough for a hundred years; we need to be rational in our approach to mining,” Jenchuraeva emphasized. Previously, the Kumtor mine produced 20-22 tons of gold annually.

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Uzbekistan’s Gold and Currency Reserves Reach Record Levels

As of September 1, Uzbekistan's international reserves reached $39.15 billion. This reserve value is a record indicator for after 2018 when data disclosure began. In August, the value of international assets increased by $1.75 billion, or about 4.7%, compared to July's increase of $1.06 billion. This increase was mainly due to gold. Although the net physical volume of gold in official reserves decreased from 12.1 ounces to 12 ounces during August, the metal's price on the world market has increased significantly. Due to this, the value of the gold part of reserves increased by $1.24 billion or 4.4% to $30.39 billion in one month. Since the beginning of 2024, the price of gold has risen by 20% on the world market. Last month, the price of standard gold bullion exceeded a million dollars for the first time in history. Uzbekistan was one of the countries that bought the most gold in July. In August, reserve assets in foreign currencies increased from $7.68 billion to $8.19 billion (+ $503.1 million). Uzbekistan’s gold-currency reserves have increased by $4.59 billion or 13.3% since the beginning of the year. The Times of Central Asia previously reported that Uzbekistan’s gold reserves reached $37.4 billion in August.

Kyrgyzaltyn National Bank Trade Gold Gold mining in central asia Industry

Store Selling Gold Bars to Open in Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan’s state-owned gold-producing company, Kyrgyzaltyn OJSC, will open a store in Bishkek on September 5 to sell gold bars. On August 30, Kyrgyzaltyn opened a workshop for the production of gold bars in Kara-Balta, a town 100km west of Bishkek. It is Kyrgyzstan's first enterprise to produce measured gold bars, with a monthly production capacity of up to 14,000 units. The facility uses advanced technologies and modern equipment from Italy and Germany, allowing the production of souvenir coins and medals. Earlier, the mayor of Kara-Balta, Mirlan Jekshenov, told Birinchi Radio that over the next year, the enterprise plans to release up to 3,600 kilograms of gold in bars of various weights — 1, 2, 5, 10, and 20 ounces and 50-100 grams — for the domestic market. In recent years, the country's government has encouraged the population to buy gold from the National Bank, saying that it is the best way for citizens to keep their savings. According to official statistics, gold accounts for almost 39% of Kyrgyzstan’s exports; in 2023, Kyrgyzstan sold more than 20 tons of gold. Most of Kyrgyzstan’s gold is produced at the country’s largest gold mine, Kumtor. Last year the mine produced 13,567 tons of gold, with a total revenue of $848 million and a net profit of $302.5 million.