Fighting for Gold in Kyrgyzstan

Kumtor open pit gold mine, the world's second highest gold mining operation is at the centre of a controversy.

...

Located in the Tien Shan mountains near the Chinese border, Kumtor which means Sand Peak in the Turkic national language is located at more than 4,000 m (13,000 ft) above sea level. 

...

Kumtor is 100 per cent owned by the Canadian mining company, Centerra Gold, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Kumtor Gold Company.

...

The mine started operation in 1997 and produced more than 5.8 million ounces (180,000 kg) of gold through the end of 2006.

...

However, in mid June 2012, the Kyrgyz Parliament issued a resolution to review Kumtor's compliance with relevant operational, environmental, health and safety and community standards.

...

Stopping short of voting to nationalise the Kumtor mine, lawmakers instead directed the government to revise the contract, which gives Kyrgyzstan a 33 per cent stake in the company while Centerra retains full ownership of the mine and its output.

...

Nationalists in Kyrgyzstan are protesting against the government for allegedly selling off the gold mine to foreigners at cheap rates.

...

Workers wearing heatproof overalls pour molten gold from a crucible into moulds in a workshop at Kumtor gold mine extraction factory in the Tien Shan mountains, some 350 kilometres (218 miles) southeast of the capital Bishkek near the Chinese border.

...

A worker wearing heatproof overalls carries a mould  with molten gold alloy in a workshop at Kumtor gold mine extraction factory in the Tien Shan mountains.

...

Workers wearing heatproof overalls carry a gold alloy bars in a workshop at Kumtor gold mine extraction factory in the Tien Shan mountains.

...

Moulds with hot molten gold alloy are seen in a workshop at Kumtor gold mine extraction factory in the Tien Shan mountains.

...

A worker cleans poured gold alloy bars in a workshop at Kumtor gold mine extraction factory in the Tien Shan mountains.

...

A worker holds a polished gold alloy bar in a workshop at Kumtor gold mine extraction factory in the Tien Shan mountains, some 350 kilometres (218 miles) southeast of the capital Bishkek near the Chinese border.

...

An operator works in a control room at Kumtor gold mine extraction factory in the Tien Shan mountains, some 350 kilometres (218 miles) southeast of the capital Bishkek near the Chinese border.

...

KOC employs around 3,400 full-time and contract workers and Kumtor mine in the Tien Shan mountains.

...

A general view of  Kumtor open pit gold mine in the Tien Shan mountains, some 350 kilometres (218 miles) southeast of the capital Bishkek near the Chinese border.

...

Polished gold alloy bars in a workshop at Kumtor gold mine extraction factory.

...

A poured gold alloy bar is seen before polishing in a workshop at Kumtor gold mine extraction factory in the Tien Shan mountains.

...

A worker stamps polished gold alloy bars in a workshop at Kumtor gold mine extraction factory in the Tien Shan mountains.

...

A hot poured gold alloy bar which has been turned out from a mould is seen in a workshop at Kumtor gold mine extraction factory.