Kumtor Releases Biodiversity Management Strategy and Plan

published: 22 January 2013

Kumtor is committed to contributing to the protection and conservation of biodiversity. This includes the application of integrated approaches to land-use planning throughout the mining lifecycle, and collaboration with stakeholders. As part of this effort, Kumtor has released its Biodiversity Management Strategy and Plan.

Kumtor’s Biodiversity Management Strategy and Plan is the first such plan to be developed and published by a mining company operating in the Kyrgyz Republic. The Biodiversity strategy and plan was developed as a result of a stakeholder workshop convened by Kumtor in Bishkek in October 2012 (see news release posted on October 20, 2012) and builds on experience gained from previous collaborative efforts carried out with the support from international and local partners, such as:

• European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD);
• International Finance Corporation (IFC);
• Fauna and Flora International (FFI);
• Sarychat-Ertash State Reserve and others.
Kumtor’s Biodiversity Management Strategy and Plan describes the regional biodiversity context, details a Biodiversity Management Plan, and identifies a portfolio of Biodiversity Enhancement Opportunities. The implementation strategy for the Plan has been completed in January 2013 and it will be integrated into the Kumtor operations.

“Kumtor’s Biodiversity Management Strategy and Plan further formalizes and informs our stakeholders about our commitments to support biodiversity conservation in the region, where the Company operates,” – said Michael Fisher, President of Kumtor. “Our Company has always paid great attention to environmental protection and ecology, and we have already started with the implementation of the Biodiversity Management Strategy and Plan. This includes signing a Memorandum of Understanding with Fauna and Flora International and supporting the important research and monitoring work of the Sarychat-Ertash Nature Reserve”, – he said.

The Plan will be posted on the corporate website of the Company and will be available to all interested parties. The Company plans to update this document on an annual basis.

Questions, comments and suggestions to the Plan should be sent to environment@kumtor.com.