A criminal case has been opened on the fact of illegal gold mining in Chatkal district of Kyrgyzstan, press service of the Prosecutor General’s Office reports.
“It was found out that in 2021 the officials of Chatkal forestry entered into an agreement with a LLC on the lease of a land plot at Karatyube-Buzuk deposit for a period until June 15, 2026 for a total area of 42.9 hectares instead of 24.07 hectares indicated in a license for the use of subsoil. Thus, they illegally leased a land plot of 18.83 hectares from the lands of the state forest fund,” the statement says.
When developing the gold deposit, the company illegally mined gold on a land plot of 1.50 hectares, located outside the licensed area.
The district prosecutor’s office initiated a criminal case under articles 337 (abuse of official position) and 218 (illegal business or banking activities) of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic. Investigation is ongoing. (24.kg/Ukrainian metal)