Kyrgyzstan faces depletion of mineral resources base, say geologists

Almaty. February 20. Silkroadnews - More than $6.5 million (400 million soms) were the proceeds of the auctions on the development of mineral resources, reports KyrTAG with reference to the deputy director of the State Agency for Geology and Mineral Resources Ulanbek Ryskulov.
"There is a threat of depletion of the mineral resource due to lack of state orders for the search. We propose to increase funding for public exploration expeditions, at least 3 times",- said U Ryskulov to colleagues agency on Friday.
According to him, a sharp reduction in funding for the years of independence led to a reduction of field work, increase the value of mineral resources, equipment deteriotation by 90%. Population of 2 expeditions (south and north) decreased by 10 times and reached 800.
"Each of the missions should open 2 fields. We'll help you financially. We have a fund for the development of mineral resources, which has 17 million soms. I am ready to give them to you, but first make me your proposals. Previously, it had been a complex mechanism for the allocation of these funds. We made a proposal to the government on simplification, and here we found an understanding",- said the U Ryskulov.
$ 1 = 61.18 KGS