Abstract
The Kyrgyz Republic is the third country in the Commonwealth of
Independent States in terms of gold production after the Russian Federation and
the Republic of Uzbekistan. At this point in the country there are more than
thirty significant gold fields. Currently there are operated gold fields such
as “Kumtor”, “Makmal” in The Kyrgyz Republic. In addition, there is a process
of preparation for the development such gold fields like “Djeruy” and also
“Andash” field[1].
The paper contains an analysis of the situation
prevailing in the relationship between mining companies and local communities.
The paper sets out proposals for the solution of the existing problems and to
create conditions for improving the relationship between mining companies and
local communities.
The obtained in the research paper findings are based
on the attempt of the analysis and evaluation of the situation of the period:
April 2011 – June 2012.
A hypothesis discussed in introduction
Just in time, the conflicts between mining companies and local
communities arise at the stage of exploration and development of the gold
field. In this research paper, we will try to study the main root causes of the
conflicts between mining companies and local communities that arise during
management of exploration of the gold field and process of extracting mineral
resources in the Talas district of Talas oblast.
The document reflects the point of view of
representatives of mining companies, local communities, local governments,
state agencies and departments, non-governmental organizations.
The main symptom of the problem is the systematic
action of local population, who intends to actively obstruct the exploration of
the gold field and extracting of mineral resources, conducted by mining
companies. For example, some facts could be traced as messages and notes the
mass media.
According to news agency «24.kg» and the newspaper
“Vechrniyi Bishkek” on the 11th of March 2011, local residents of Aral village
in Talas oblast stormed the camp of mining company at “Taldy-Bulak left-bank”
and start to plunder the property and arrange arson. At that moment there were
employee of mining company “Talas Copper Gold”, who worked and lived there.
After that, the camp was set on fire[2].
In addition, local residents blocked the road, access
road leading to the mine, commit acts of violence against employees of company.
This confrontation has been repeated over a fairly long period of time, which
resulted in open conflict.
The symptoms of the problem also include the
systematic submission of claims by local population. The representatives of the
surrounding communities, who live in the vicinity of the gold field believe
that any mining company is required to provide a portion of its profits from
the extracting of mineral resources. This requirement they motivate the
following argument: “From the vast majority of frequently voiced arguments of
the local population this argument based on the statement that every mining
company before beginning of extracting mineral resources on the nearby field is
obliged to pay them money, support social facilities and etc”.
According to studies of the Public Fund “Egalite”, the
process of development of the mining industry in Kyrgyzstan closely related to
the protest potential of the population. Also in this report it was outlined,
that in the regions of Kyrgyzstan increased regionalism and parochialism. They
cite the example with the “Bek-Moldo” local place. The Public Fund notes that
residents of other villages of Talas oblast have expressed their
dissatisfaction with residents of “Bek-Moldo”, especially their desire to start
developing mine as an employee of company[3]. This because in terms of point of view of the all
oblast’s residents, extracting of the gold fields addresses benefits only the
residents of this particular village. Residents of the other villages in oblast
reasonably want to know what resources they can accept from operation of mining
company at that particular gold field. But they do not possess wide
opportunities because such companies often take into account only the opinion
of the inhabitants of the villages located in close proximity to the mine.
Thus, the findings of surveys about indication opinion of the residents sows
the “Bek-Moldo” place’s residents support the extracting of mineral resources
and operation mining company. And the idea that all necessary works may be
occurred in safety, will not be proved because of the protests in other places
of Talas oblast, and the residents of “Bek-Moldo” would be as a new subject of
protests and pressure from the side of other villages[4].
People who protest do not build houses, do not open a
business, do not receive profit. People who support operation of mining company
and waiting for the opportunity to improve their financial position by
maintaining the infrastructure at the gold field cannot determine when to do
it. Thus almost everybody are in a worse economical position[5].
Description of the problem
The problem of the conflict occurs between local people, who lives in
the immediate vicinity of the gold fıeld and the mining companies that manage
exploration and extraction of mineral resources in such gold field. As it is
described in the symptoms of the problem, the local people create obstacles for
the mining companies.
Sanjar Abakirov, “Serep” Research Institute
bibliography
1. Carp A. (2011). Relations between mining companies and local communities:
experience, problems and solutions, Bishkek, hotel «Hyatt».
2. Development Fund for Law and Business (2011). The position of the
local population and local authorities with respect to mining in their
territory. Findings of the public hearings on the activities of mining
companies in Talas, Naryn and Jalal-Abad oblasts of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek, hotel
«Hyatt».
3. Oreshkin A. (2001 January 26). “Kumtor”: take and share , Evening
Bishkek, p.2.
4. Sorokin, Z. (2011) [Interview with the candidate of biological
sciences Saken Nurmambetov. “Vecherniyi Bishkek”, p.17.
5. Benliyan A. (2010) [Interview with Chingiz Shamshiev ]. “Vecherniyi
Bishkek”. p.16.
6. Choi, M. (2011) [Interview with Valentin Bogdetsky]. Evening Bishkek.
p.15.
7. A brief statement on the project of gold - copper gold field “Andash”
(2011, April 15)
8. Shamsutdinov M.M. (2010) Training Manual. The Department of Mining
KRSU, Bishkek.
9. Consulting Group of CSR Business Network (2011). A comprehensive
approach to a partnership with the local community - a guarantee of the success
of the strategy of corporate social responsibility of mining companies,
Bishkek.
10. Oreshkin A. Sahakyan, I. (2011). In the golden haze and burnout too.
Evening Bishkek, p.3.
11. http://www.24.kg/economics/108983-kyrgyzstan-gornodobivaushaya-promyshlennost.html
- “Kyrgyzstan. GornoDobivayuschaya industry?”
12. Murzakulova A. (2011) “The social dynamics and conflict: a study of
public opinion poll in the southern regions of Kyrgyzstan. Analytical center”
Polis Asia.
13. Sahakian, I. (2011) to mine wilted. Evening Bishkek, p.6.
14. Ashyrkulov K. (2011) Relations between mining companies and local
communities: experience, problems and solutions. Bishkek.
[1] Shamsutdinov RM Educational-methodological guide.
KRSU. Bishkek.
[3] From the report of the Public Fund "Egalite"
"Analysis of conflict Talas Kyrgyzstan in the field of mining developments"
[4] From the report of the Public Fund "Egalite"
"Analysis of conflict Talas Kyrgyzstan in the field of mining
developments"
[5] From the report of the Public Fund "Egalite"
"Analysis of conflict Talas Kyrgyzstan in the field of mining developments"
Комментариев нет :
Отправить комментарий