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 I.
Where do payments move?
All payments: paid by the mining company, move to the republıcan budget
(state budget). The representatives of the mining companies suggest that some
of these payments, entering the republıcan budget earmarked for the development
of social infrastructure in regions (oblast) of country. Namely, it shall be
the construction of social facilities, repairing of roads, bridges and
communication facilities, power supply, land and soil restoration, removal of
tailings, compensation to farmers and other residents who have received some
damage from the mining exploration. Thus, by addressing these payments to
state, the mining company compensates for possible environmental and economic
damage.
From the text of the report “The position of the local
population and local authorities toward their respect to mining at their
territory[2]” should be following[3]. A lack of the legally guaranteed direct payments to
the budget of Talas oblast and its districts influents on state of
infrastructure. Also oblast’s budget itself receives direct deductions from
payments to companies mining companies are not playing mutual role. The main
reason – lack of transparency of republican and local budget. Same report also
notes that: “Those amounts that have been paid by mining companies to the state
in the form of statutory payments are not always spent directly to the needs of
the local community”.
As noted earlier in this paper, the local people live
in difficult social and economic conditions. The funds, which, are supposed to
come from payments of mining companies could go on to form the funds prepared
for the regional development. They can be directed to the development of the
region, thereby increasing confidence in the public authorities and companies.
However, at the moment this is not happening (regional development funds).
There is still only a draft.
Who to trust?
The local population shows own distrust toward to
mining companies and almost all state (governmental) agencies and branches. It
currently does not see the benefits of mining.
None of the state agencies and branches do not possess
direct vision to prevent conflicts between locals and mining company. Also they
cannot conduct regular outreach for local people about what good and what
damage can be from mineral development. Moreover, representatives of the local
population do not possess the right and proved information. Their statements
they often based on all sorts of rumors and speculation.
Definitely, that mining companies do not focus only on
their profit and extracting of minerals. The government of Kyrgyz Republic is
in attempt to assist all mining companies to prevent conflicts with local
people, but all these action are very inefficient. Observing the state’s
disability to provide normal conditions for mining companies, that extract
mineral resources at the gold field, such companies are also losing confidence
to government.
What was the
main reason?
According to opinion the “Serep” Research Institute,
the causes of the conflict roots in the following. Firstly, the reasons of the
conflict between local people and mining company should be considered from two
perspectives - the visible causes and the hidden causes. From an in-depth
interview with the General director of Closed Joint-Stock Company (CJ-SK)
“Andash Mining Company” Kuban Ashyrkulov, these perspectives were pointed out -
visible and not visible. Regarding to the visible side - mostly there were
voiced such causes as the environment, social injustice, lack of confidence.
These causes are voiced very often by locals and mining company’s
representatives, thus such causes lie on the surface of problem. The moot point
is environment, because it is always necessary to express an expert opinion.
Regarding to social injustice in front of local people it might be noted in
difficult living conditions. Moreover, due to such conditions local population
expresses different rumors and speculation about procedure of license
acquisition and hypothetical possibility corruption schemes.
Finally high costs of mining equipment against
economically deprived population living in the vicinity of the gold field.
As follows, there is popular locals’ opinion if mining
company has invested so huge amount financial funds and taxes, so where
population of oblast and district cannot utilize it as an infrastructure for
them. This fact also initially creates mistrust.
As Kuban Ashyrkulov says, it is often expressed
distrust only to foreign companies. Possibly, here the national and patriotic
card is begun to play out. Basically we received such questions as: “Why does
company explore [our - Author] gold field; [our] gold is taken; the mine is
developed by foreign companies; why Kyrgyz companies are not able to extract
gold”.
Secondly, as for the causes of the conflict are not visible, which is
not mentioned, but which are taken into account in opinion by local people and
mining companies. Basically, this is the own interests of certain groups from
the number of local residents who use the conflict between locals and company
as a source of funding. Also it is possible to influence and effect on the
local population’s opinion by unfair competitors, who is looking for the
ability to replace existing mining company at the gold field in Talas oblast.
The development strategy of Talas oblast was never
designed and developed by all agreed representatives as an interested parties
(stakeholders). Thus, it follows that the cause of the conflict between the
local people and the mining company, is an inconsistency of the development
strategy of Talas oblast. As a rule and according to standard practice the
development strategy is supposed to be agreed between the government of the Kyrgyz Republic,
the state administration of Talas oblast, districts’ state administration,
local authorities, and of course with wide range of local community’s
representatives. In addition development strategy should take into account the
interest of mining companies, associations that support the mining companies,
non-governmental organizations, farmers and representatives of business
structures.
In the conflict resolution the serious interest should
express mining company as itself. In addition, it becomes apparent, that for
the resolution of this mutual problem main role plays the association of mining
companies in the Kyrgyz Republic, local government (of Talas oblast), and
public authorities, in the face of the State agency of geology and mineral
resources of the Kyrgyz Republic.
For the local population, who stays in quite difficult
socio-economic conditions, the mining company is seen as a way to resolve their
problems - mainly financial problems.
At the moment, the government is not able to timely and fast resolve all
range of problems (unemployment among the local population, backwardness and
inefficiency of the medical and educational institutions). Therefore, the local
population about from such problems from the government to the mining company.
Thus, the huge range of their requirements is addressed to the mining company.
This strained relations between locals and mining company reinforce low
infrastructure development (roads worn, dilapidated bridges, low electrification,
lack drinking water, poor communication services). All these utilities,
obviously, should provide normal life of the population. But now it is not
clear who is really responsible for the social development of the population.
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.
Комментариев нет :
Отправить комментарий