He provided this information during the MINEX Central Asia geological forum session held in Bishkek on June 19-20.
According to the minister, lifting restrictions on exploration and extraction of uranium-bearing deposits can improve the country’s economic situation. He emphasized the growing role of rare and rare-earth metals in modern industries.
In Kyrgyzstan, six ore districts with critical minerals have been identified, along with more than 83 deposits and occurrences. However, the majority of these deposits contain uranium and thorium in small percentages.
Turgunbaev clarified that their focus is not on uranium and thorium. Kyrgyzstan lacks sufficient reserves to produce and put them up for competition. Instead, the state aims to develop critical minerals, leveraging good reserves of rare-earth metals.
While uranium and thorium are present in very small amounts, they are not the primary focus. The government plans to purify these elements, but they are not considered competitive assets.
Approximately 1,000 plots from 23 deposits are evaluated as “available” and will be auctioned.
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Source: Tazabek website
