President Sadyr Japarov, in a direct address to the people, announced the conclusion of a global agreement on the Kumtor gold mine.
President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov on April 4, announced the signing of an agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers and Centerra Gold Inc., resolving disagreements over the management of Kumtor Gold Company (KGC).
According to the concluded agreement, the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic received the right of full management and ownership of the Kumtor mine.
In a live televised address to the people, President Sadyr Japarov called the agreement a “historic breakthrough” and noted that the conditions concluded are the best possible at the moment. He announced the openness of Kyrgyzstan to foreign investment.
The agreement provides for a clear division and resolution of all disputes between the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic, Centerra and Kyrgyzaltyn OJSC, which is the main shareholder of Centerra.
The agreement reached contains, among other things, the following points:
• The Kyrgyz Republic and Kyrgyzaltyn OJSC will take full responsibility for the Kumtor Mine and retain the income generated from the mine after May 15, 2021;
• Centerra will make a payment of US$50 million to conserve and protect the natural resources of the Kyrgyz Republic;
• Centerra will make an additional cash payment of US$11.1 million to Kyrgyzaltyn;
• In addition, the Kyrgyz Republic will be given back control of a US$53 million reclamation fund;
• Kyrgyzaltyn and Centerra will exchange shares, with Kyrgyzaltyn returning its shares in Centerra and receiving 100% of KGC’s shares.
• The agreement also provides for the complete and final withdrawal of mutual claims by the parties, the termination of all litigation involving the parties in all jurisdictions without recognition of liability.
The agreement was preliminarily approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic. The Cabinet of Ministers, Centerra and Kyrgyzaltyn OJSC expect that the agreement will be closed no later than 90 days after its signing.