SPECIAL EDITION: TOGOLOK

Right at this moment, hundreds of kilometers away from the hustle and bustle of the city, our miners are writing a new chapter in the history of national mining industry by carrying out a major project: development of the Togolok gold deposit.

This is a large-scale undertaking of great economic significance for our country. For the first time in the history of our independent state, such a major project in the mining sector is being carried out entirely using our own resources and capabilities. The project to develop the Togolok deposit was initiated by the flagbearer of the domestic economy Kumtor Gold Company whilst the practical implementation has been entrusted to the company’s subsidiary, Kumtor Operating Company.

The Togolok gold deposit itself was discovered way back in 1978 and is situated in a remote, high-altitude area in the Djeti-Oguz district of the Issyk-Kul region.

The nearest settlement to the deposit is the village of Ak-Shyirak, situated at an altitude of almost 3,200 meters above sea level and 35 km away. The area is characterized by a harsh climate with rapidly changing weather and sheer cliffs. The distance from the city of Bishkek to the Togolok deposit is 560 km.

Recognizing the importance of expanding the company’s production portfolio, on 8 August 2023, Kumtor Operating Company was granted a license to develop the Togolok gold deposit. A year later, a feasibility study was carried out for the development of the gold deposit. The project was deemed viable.

The start of full-scale work on the development of the Togolok deposit, given its remoteness from civilization and the challenging natural and climatic conditions, is a true test of the resilience, experience and professionalism of everyone involved in the project.

Despite all the obstacles, the company’s specialists have achieved a great deal in a short space of time. For instance, the narrow roads, which previously could barely accommodate a single car, have been widened. In addition, a new bridge has been built across the Kaichy River. Significant efforts have been directed towards improving the infrastructure and strengthening the logistical support at the miners’ base camp at the Togolok deposit.

Kanimet Toktosunov, Chairman of the Board of Kumtor Operating Company, noted that mining operations at the Togolok deposit began this spring.

‘Stripping operations are currently underway, and ore extraction is set to begin in the coming months. To carry out this and other tasks, eight large mining dump trucks, two large mining excavators, a loader and a large mining grader for clearing roads have been purchased and delivered to the mine site. A modern 85-bed staff accommodation camp has also been built over the past six months,” he said.

 Given the scale and complexity of the project, a tender was launched among companies specializing in the construction of turnkey (EPC) mining complexes.

As a result, the tender was won by the Chinese company Nerin Engineering, which has extensive international experience. With a 40-year history, this company has successfully completed similar projects in dozens of countries around the world. In light of this, an agreement was signed between the parties in April 2026 for the construction of industrial facilities to enable the full-scale launch of the mine.

At Kumtor Operating Company we are confident that the project will mark a significant milestone in the republic’s recent history and make a substantial contribution to the development of the country’s industrial potential. It won’t be long before we all witness the extraction of the first gold from the Tologok deposit!

For reference: China Nerin Engineering Co., Ltd. was founded in 1986.

Main areas of activity: engineering surveys and design for energy and transport facilities, urban infrastructure projects, environmental projects, industrial and civil engineering projects; construction and installation works.

Over the years, the company has successfully completed complex and technologically advanced projects in countries such as Russia, Kazakhstan, Australia, Canada, Germany, Turkey, Chile, Egypt, South Africa and the Republic of Korea.