Kyrgyzstan Unveils Critical Minerals Strategy at London Mining Week

34 views Society 0

At the Critical Minerals Association conference, Kyrgyz Minister of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision Meder Mashiev addressed a high-level plenary session of London Mining Week alongside Central Asian counterparts, highlighting Kyrgyzstan’s investment potential, reports Akchabar.kg.

London Mining Week is a premier global forum for the mining industry and critical minerals supply chains.

Minister Mashiev also participated in a government roundtable on critical minerals and the 13th Eurasian Mining and Exploration Conference.

His presentation on Kyrgyzstan’s draft National Critical Minerals Strategy drew significant attention. Designed to attract ESG-compliant investors, the strategy emphasizes three competitive advantages:

  • Substantial prospective reserves of tungsten, molybdenum, cobalt, and rare earth elements;
  • Low-carbon energy infrastructure — over 90% of electricity is generated by hydropower, ensuring a minimal carbon footprint for mining operations;
  • Ongoing regulatory reforms, including streamlined licensing, enhanced investor protections, and digitalization of the national geological data fund.

Mashiev stated: “Kyrgyzstan is not merely a geologically promising jurisdiction — it is a reliable partner aligned with modern sustainability standards.”

A key outcome of the visit is the planned signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Kyrgyz Cabinet of Ministers and the Government of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland on cooperation in critical minerals — the first such bilateral agreement of its kind in Central Asia. The formal signing is expected within days.

CentralasianLIGHT.org

3 декабря 2025 года