Thanks Andrew for your post. Below are 3 more media releases from the same site. Two are about the government and Andash and one is from Simon Milroy about what Kentor if offering the township if the mine goes ahead."
There is still some opposition to Andash on the basis of seismic instability in the are and the effect that mining will have on the safety of the township.
It has been decided "to carry out an ecologic expertise at Andash minefield", which I assume is an ecological type survey. If this is the case then it must delay the go ahead for the Andash mine??
"Kyrgyzstan Government doesn’t have right to allow development of Andash minefield – Raikan Tologonov 06/03"
“Kyrgyzstan Government doesn’t have right to allow development of Andash minefield,” a deputy Raikan Tologonov stated at the session of the parliamentary Committee on Economic Development.
"According him, the deputy commission made own investigation last year. “And if someone thinks that the first commission made populist statements he is mistaken. That time specialists - environmental engineers, geophysicists – examined this area. This area has seismic hazard in 7 points; it is famous for regular landslides. Kentor Gold Company plans to develop the minefield 700 meters away from Kopuro-Bazar village. An opencast mine is in mountains while the village is in the lower reaches,” said Raikan Tologonov."
"He noted also that “in the Government’s opinion the project is analyzed thoroughly”. “But they are referring to external factors – getting profit and that we will have to pay for in case of legal proceedings initiated by Kentor Gold. They also mention gaining dividends but nothing is stipulated aside from taxes. After protests of locals investors came to terms and agreed to give Kyrgyzstan 20 percents of share. If the Government is ready to lead to local-scale disasters for the good of 20 percents let it take a decision. To develop the minefield is possible only if locals agree to move from this place,” the deputy stressed."
"Raikan Tologonov noted that previous owners of the licence sold the right to development of the minefield to Kentor Gold under false pretence."
"MP Kozhobek Ryspaev noted that the Government has to provide the investor with a minefield equal to Andash in order to clinch a matter of dispute."
"Recall, residents of Kopuro-Bazar village of Talas district of the namesake province located near the minefield speak against its development. The Parliament imposed ban on minefield development in June 2011."
"Kyrgyzstan Government holds out hope to Andash Mining Company – Iskhak Pirmatov 06/03-2012"
“Kyrgyzstan Government holds out hope to Andash Mining Company,” the chairman of the parliamentary Committee on Economic Development, Iskhak Pirmatov, stated at its session."
"According him, they shouldn’t muzz investors. “They have to decide the issue. Investors hope that the issue will be decided to their good because we hold out hope,” said Iskhak Pirmatov."
"Following results of the discussion it was decided to carry out an ecologic expertise at Andash minefield."
"We offer the population of Talas province 450 work places and $1 M for development every year - Simon Milroy 06/03-2012"
“We offer the population of Talas province 450 work places and $1M for development every year,” Simon Milroy, Managing Director of Kentor Gold Limited, an Australian-based gold mining company, said today. He arrived in Bishkek to take a look at progress of the Andash gold mining project."
"According to him, the company is ready to offer local population generous help. “Majority of work places will be given to local people. Besides, the aid package will be created so that every resident of the village will take advantage of the project, in addition to those working in the mine, Simon Milroy said. – We are ready to allot money for soft loans to each court annually, as well as to provide monthly cash assistance to each family in the village.”
"In addition, he said that the project was important for the whole country, since annual tax payments would amount to $30 million. The budget will receive them as soon as the work at the mine will be started."
(20min delay)