Kyrgyzstan Plans to Repurpose Kumtor Gold Mine Equipment for Dzhetim-Tau Iron Ore Deposit

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On November 3, Kyrgyz President Japarov, during a meeting with residents in Talas Region, proposed a plan to end open-pit mining at the Kumtor gold mine between 2031 and 2032 and to transfer the mine's existing mining equipment to the development of the Dzhetim-Tau iron ore deposit. Dzhetim-Tau is an important large-scale iron ore resource project in Kyrgyzstan. The government had previously proposed plans to build metallurgical processing facilities, and this latest announcement further clarifies the direction for future allocation of mining equipment.

According to the arrangements announced by Japarov, after completing the existing mining plan at the Kumtor open pit, the mining equipment will be transferred to Dzhetim-Tau for subsequent mine development. The Kumtor gold mine is located in Issyk-Kul Region and began gold production in 1997; in 2022 it came under full Kyrgyz control. This equipment transfer is part of the government's proposed future implementation plan.

The Dzhetim-Tau iron ore deposit is located in Naryn Region. In June 2026, Japarov proposed prioritizing independent development of the deposit by the state and building metallurgical processing facilities locally to extend production to metal smelting and finished product manufacturing. According to preliminary estimates announced at the time, the related development and processing facility construction may require approximately USD 9 billion. The government is studying financing arrangements and, if necessary, considering joint development with external investors.

During the meeting in Talas Region, Japarov also disclosed fiscal contribution figures for the Jeruy gold mine. The mine, operated by Alliance Altyn, paid a total of 20 billion som (approximately USD 228.7 million) in taxes and other statutory fees to the state treasury in the first nine months of 2026. Japarov compared this amount with the Kumtor gold mine's past fiscal contribution of approximately 5 billion som, stating that Jeruy's current contribution has reached four times that of the latter.