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].
Part III. The analysis of the involved interested
parties (stakeholders)
The representatives of the local people, who live in the immediate
vicinity of the gold fıeld opposed to the mining company, could be under the
effect of doubtful information, fraud and lack of awareness. At this point,
they are exposed to the negative effects of some “external forces” that are
interested in the acquisition of income form the mining company as a
“compensation” for possible damage. Thus, locals are preventing normal
operation at the gold field. By voicing different complaints of damage (which,
however, does not approved), the local population begins to consider claims to
mining companies as possibility to use a source of income. It is important to
highlight the main stakeholders in this issue.
One of the largest and most diverse groups in this situation
is local population of Talas oblast. It is also divided into subgroups. Each of
which has own claims to the mining company. These are a individuals who uses a
form of pressure on mining companies to obtain financial benefits, the group of
politicians, lobbying for the interests of livestock owners, farmers,
able-bodied citizens who wish to find a job. Collectively, these subgroups are
pushing the total claim against the company.
The group of
parties to conflict have following interests.
The local population:
One of the important aspects of the conflict - is the local population.
In this research it is necessary to be careful, because the definition of
“local population” is need to consider about its versatility. This diversity
may be include various groups, including people who can be classified by age,
location, occupation and so on.
“Serep” Research Institute is also consider it
necessary to examine the local population in terms of economic activity. These
groups may include:
- Livestock owners who are interested in preserving the environment and
raise cattle graze.
- Farmers who are interested in the environmental safety of production
resources (soil erosion control and irrigation water).
- Able-bodied citizens, expressing a desire to get a high-paying job.
The report of the Public Fund “Egalitee” (hereinafter
- the Social fund) should be that public authority and mining company take into
account solely the viewpoint of the population living in close proximity to the
developments that do not fully reflect the position of the entire population.
Thus, according to the report of the Public fund of
the active population (18 years and older) in village Beck-Moldo, located next
to mine of “Djeruy” consists 2718 people, according to local government passport.
The number of active residents village of Aral, located in close proximity to
the mine “Taldy-Bulak”, there were 2,043 people according to the passport of
the village in 2007, and the number of the active population of the village
Kopuro-Bazaar, located in close proximity to the mine “Andash” of 2,504 people
according to data of local government in 2007[2].
According to data of the National statistical
committee of the Kyrgyz Republic, the average annual number of resident
population of Talas oblast in 2010 is amounted to 230 400 people. From this
amount 34 100 people are urban and 196,300 people are rural population[3].
These figures show a biased sample populations of
whose opinion the government, local authority, mining company are supposed to
take into account in attempt to resolve conflicts between mining companies and
local population. Thus, even if surveys among 100% of the villages located near
the fields will be conducted, public opinion does not represent in full and
expanded form, as overlooked opinion of respondents from other villages.
In this view, it is necessary giver whole coverage of interests to
identify all those people who live there in oblast.
According to the National statistics committee of the
Kyrgyz Republic the resident population of Talas region in 2011 consisted
231,800 people. The economically active population who wishes to find a job in
Talas oblast, (individuals aged from 18 years to 45 years), namely, could
observe and understand all benefits of mining exploration at gold fields. Their
statistical population is 94 002 people. Of this number, 14,553 people
considered urban and 79,449 rural.
During the conflict between mining companies and local
youth population also stands as the most active groups. In this case, we will
consider young people aged from 15 years to 25 years. The sample population of
Talas oblast according to the age groups shows the following. The total number
of persons aged 15 years to 25 years is 50478 people.
There are 7265 people, whose opinion is taken into
account by the mining company, as an arguments of public power. This part of
the population is considered as a person who may encounter problems or receive
benefits from mining. While the rest of the region's population remains on the
sidelines.
Assuming that the development of the field could bring
benefits to the entire population of the area, it is necessary to take into
account the opinion of representatives throughout the area.
Note that the term “population” can be seen as
naturally and historically folding continuously renew the process of production
and reproduction of immediate life group of people. Population resident in the
Talas oblast itself is multifaceted and includes various subgroups of the place
of residence, age, social status and so on.
In majority the local population has a direct interest
- receive material benefit from the mining company under the pretext of
compensation for harm caused by a mineral development.
The motivation
of the local population.
Summary – Local population are observing the
opportunity to get easy income in the form of material aid from the mining
company. Further - it is not adequate conditions of life, the reluctance of
local people put up with it. Feel threatened by the presence of the mining
company. Do not favorable living conditions, economic backwardness and a number
of unsolved social problems of the local population’s tempting to search for
the guilty.
Beliefs: As mining company covers local livelihoods,
it is obliged to “pay” for their right to work in the field. The company is
foreign; therefore, it has to pay for everything. General: The mining company
pollutes nature, does not give people the promised work, strongly interferes
with life, is a danger to local residents.
Such representatives of the local population as owners
of livestock, farmers and other residents of surrounding villages to the field
are convinced that mining companies will interfere with normal life. Their
representatives repeatedly voiced that the cause of damage to pastures, soil,
harm quantitative growth of livestock, destroying the natural objects of nature
(lakes, forests).
The elders are convinced that the company infringes on
the cultural and historical heritage (works near cemeteries and monuments).
Also, the above-mentioned groups have expressed concerns about the demolition
works that, in their opinion, can cause damage[4].
Able-bodied citizens who wish to find a job in the
company, angry that she did not hire local people in large numbers. They
believe that the company is able to hire the maximum number of able-bodied
people, but their leadership simply does not want it.
Resources: Basic: the ability to distort information
addressed by the media, the opportunity to present themselves and their status
as a victim. Distance from the city center and allows local people to
systematically distort information, use the conjectures and prejudices against
the company. More: How to impede the work of: road closures, damage and
appropriation of property of the company. The lack of responsibility for their
actions. The large number of supporters.
Local communities have the opportunity to influence
the decisions of the district administration and the state of the actions of
the Interior, the Ministry of Emergency Situations. Also, they can be
influenced by the media.
Efficiency: Certain persons, representatives of the
local population (activists), using various forms of pressure on mining
companies, find it possible to get rich at the expense of funds from companies
claiming material means. Making frequent meetings and rallies, preventing
normal operation of the company, they are thus turned into a source of operating
income. An example is a message of Journalists of the newspaper “Vecherniyi
Bishkek” Andrew and Irene Oreshina Sahakyan whose article states the following:
“Rural activists announced that they did not even start production, the company
is killing the environment, generates a mutation of cattle and undermines the
health of women and children. The truth was revealed soon: a new investor
conducted a study of the social situation of the village and identified
products to support the most needy families. Other residents of village that
humanitarian aid is not inherited, launched a storm of activity, calling to
expel a foreign company”[5].
Sanjar Abakirov, “Serep” Research Institute
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[5] Andrei Oreshkin, Irene Sahakian, in a golden haze and burnout too. -
Evening Bishkek, February 11, 2011. - p.3
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