The Government of the Kyrgyz Republic requested assistance from the World Bank for technical assistance on structuring mining licensing rounds in a competitive and transparent manner to help the country optimize the value of its mineral resources.  This will lay the foundation necessary for Kyrgyzstan’s authorities to take over the process beyond the scope of the project and to start the process of turning its mining sector into a modern, vibrant industry.

Oxus International was commissioned by the World Bank to carry out a thorough assessment of social issues related to the Togolok deposit, which is located in Jeti-Oguz rayon (Issyk Kul oblast). Oxus conducted this study prior to any exploration or mining work being done to the deposit, creating a valuable opportunity to document the baseline social situation at the deposit and the surrounding populated areas, which can be used to track how the social situation changes through the life of a potential future mining site.

For this project, Dr. Kanykey Jailobaeva, who received her PhD in Sociology from the University of Edinburgh, used qualitative research methodologies in Jeti-Oguz to assess the social situation and gather information and opinions regarding the communities’ economy, politics, and the potential for a future mining site. In July 2012, Dr. Jailobaeva conducted a validation workshop with residents of Ak-Shirak Ayil Okmotu, the community located closest to the Togolok deposit, which you can read more about here.

The final report for this project was completed in September 2012. With approval from the Government of Kyrgyzstan, Oxus International hopes to be able to offer the report for public viewing on this website.