BISHKEK – Kyrgyzstan's parliament has voted in favor of revising the operating license of a Canadian company that has been developing the Central Asian country's major gold mine, Kumtor.
A measure approved by parliament calls for an increase of the government's current 33 percent share in Kumtor, which is operated by Toronto-based Centerra Gold.
Lawmakers, however, did not support a proposal to cancel Centerra Gold's contracts in Kyrgyzstan.
The parliament measure backs the setting up of a state commission to assess the environmental, social, and economic damage that critics say is being caused by Centerra Gold's management.
Centerra Gold says its operations at Kumtor are in full compliance with Kyrgyz laws and international environmental, safety, and health standards.
Activities around Kumtor account for more than 10 percent of Kyrgyzstan's economy.
A measure approved by parliament calls for an increase of the government's current 33 percent share in Kumtor, which is operated by Toronto-based Centerra Gold.
Lawmakers, however, did not support a proposal to cancel Centerra Gold's contracts in Kyrgyzstan.
The parliament measure backs the setting up of a state commission to assess the environmental, social, and economic damage that critics say is being caused by Centerra Gold's management.
Centerra Gold says its operations at Kumtor are in full compliance with Kyrgyz laws and international environmental, safety, and health standards.
Activities around Kumtor account for more than 10 percent of Kyrgyzstan's economy.
