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Resource dependence and transparency of the mining industry of Kyrgyzstan: Economic, institutional, social and environmental aspects

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  • Almaz Ashiraliev

Abstract

Against the backdrop of a steady growth in the share of the mining industry in industrial production and exports of the Kyrgyz Republic, with a persistent deficit of systematised statistics and methodological discrepancies in assessing its contribution to the country’s economy, a comprehensive analysis of resource dependence and transparency of the industry appears relevant. The aim of the study was to determine the nature of the resource dependence of Kyrgyzstan’s economy on the gold mining industry and to assess the degree of compliance of the industry with global trends in reporting transparency and institutional quality. The work is based on a comparative historical analysis of production and economic indicators of three gold mining projects and one state corporate structure of the Kyrgyz Republic, and a content analysis of international diagnostic reports. It was established that production at the Kumtor deposit at individual observation points (1997, 2014, 2016 and 2018) remained in the range of 16.6-17.7 tonnes. In available observation points, production indicators at Jeruy increased from 3.2 to 4.51 tonnes, but data for some years are not confirmed by the operator’s primary reporting. Uneven accessibility of systematised data for the enterprises under consideration was revealed, as well as methodological discrepancies in estimates of the industry’s share in gross domestic product (2-12.6%). With the industry’s share in employment at 0.7% (2021), its contribution to foreign direct investment (21.6%) and exports (61.4%, 2020) is disproportionately high, which indicates pronounced structural signs of resource dependence of the economy. Compliance with global sustainable development trends is uneven: relative compliance in terms of reporting transparency is accompanied by lagging in economic diversification, localisation of supply chains and institutional quality. The economic significance of the industry is associated with institutional instability (nationalisation, tightening of licensing), environmental burden (increase in waste rock volume, accelerated glacier retreat) and social tension in mining regions. The results are applicable for the development of statistical methodology for industry accounting, mechanisms for budget smoothing of resource revenues and integration of environmental regulation

Suggested Citation

  • Almaz Ashiraliev, 2026. "Resource dependence and transparency of the mining industry of Kyrgyzstan: Economic, institutional, social and environmental aspects," E-Forum Working Papers, Economic Forum, vol. 16(3), pages 56-70, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:cuc:eforum:v:16:y:2026:i:3:p:56-70
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.62763/ef/3.2026.56
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Beatriz Calzada Olvera & Michiko Iizuka, 2024. "The mining sector: profit-seeking strategies, innovation patterns, and commodity prices," Industrial and Corporate Change, Oxford University Press and the Associazione ICC, vol. 33(4), pages 986-1010.
    2. A. Akofa Amegboleza & M. Ali Ülkü, 2026. "Advancing Sustainable Operational Efficiency in the Mining Industry: Trends, Innovations, Frameworks, and Future Research Directions," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 34(S1), pages 736-757, January.
    3. Paulo De Sa, 2019. "Mining and sustainable development: territorializing the mining industry," Mineral Economics, Springer;Raw Materials Group (RMG);Luleå University of Technology, vol. 32(2), pages 131-143, July.
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