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Fighting for Gold in Kyrgyzstan

Last updated on: May 1, 2013 16:46 IST
Dump trucks are seen through a windshield of another vehicle at Kumtor open pit gold mine in the Tien Shan mountains, some 350 kilometres (218 miles) southeast of the capital Bishkek near the Chinese border.

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

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Fighting for Gold in Kyrgyzstan

Last updated on: May 1, 2013 16:46 IST

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. 

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Fighting for Gold in Kyrgyzstan

Last updated on: May 1, 2013 16:46 IST

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

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Fighting for Gold in Kyrgyzstan

Last updated on: May 1, 2013 16:46 IST

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

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Fighting for Gold in Kyrgyzstan

Last updated on: May 1, 2013 16:46 IST
Dump trucks drive along a road at Kumtor open pit gold mine in the Tien Shan mountains, some 350 kilometres (218 miles) southeast of the capital Bishkek near the Chinese border.

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.

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Fighting for Gold in Kyrgyzstan

Last updated on: May 1, 2013 16:46 IST
-A worker stands next to a conveyer belt carrying gold ore in Kumtor gold mine extraction factory in the Tien Shan mountains, some 350 kilometres (218 miles) southeast of the capital Bishkek near the Chinese border.

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.

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Fighting for Gold in Kyrgyzstan

Last updated on: May 1, 2013 16:46 IST
Workers wearing heatproof overalls pour molten gold from a crucible into moulds in a workshop at Kumtor gold mine extraction factory.

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

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Fighting for Gold in Kyrgyzstan

Last updated on: May 1, 2013 16:46 IST

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.

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Fighting for Gold in Kyrgyzstan

Last updated on: May 1, 2013 16:46 IST

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.

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Fighting for Gold in Kyrgyzstan

Last updated on: May 1, 2013 16:46 IST

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

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Fighting for Gold in Kyrgyzstan

Last updated on: May 1, 2013 16:46 IST

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

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Fighting for Gold in Kyrgyzstan

Last updated on: May 1, 2013 16:46 IST

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

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Fighting for Gold in Kyrgyzstan

Last updated on: May 1, 2013 16:46 IST

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.

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Fighting for Gold in Kyrgyzstan

Last updated on: May 1, 2013 16:46 IST

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.

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Fighting for Gold in Kyrgyzstan

Last updated on: May 1, 2013 16:46 IST
Michael Fisher, President of Kumtor Operating Company (KOC) listens to questions during an interview with Reuters in Bishkek March 11, 2013.

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

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Fighting for Gold in Kyrgyzstan

Last updated on: May 1, 2013 16:46 IST

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.

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Fighting for Gold in Kyrgyzstan

Last updated on: May 1, 2013 16:46 IST

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

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Fighting for Gold in Kyrgyzstan

Last updated on: May 1, 2013 16:46 IST

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

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Fighting for Gold in Kyrgyzstan

Last updated on: May 1, 2013 16:46 IST

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

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Fighting for Gold in Kyrgyzstan

Last updated on: May 1, 2013 16:46 IST
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.

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.