KYRGYZ REPUBLIC - Andash to undergo independent audit

The Kyrgyz Government will conduct an independent environmental audit of the Andash gold-copper project. Representatives from Kentor Gold’s subsidiary Andash Mining have met with the government’s economic development committee to discuss the next step for the project’s development.

The committee has been supportive of the project which has met governmental environmental requirements and will bring significant benefits to the local region.

Kentor managing director Simon Milroy says the environmental audit is a major step forward in gaining final approval for Andash. “Opposition to the Andash project by a small local minority group is based on spurious and erroneous claims. The proposed Andash pit is actually more than 2km from the closest habitation, cyanide will not be used and all aspects of the project design are consistent with world’s best practice. The site has a negative water balance and hence there will be no discharges from the site.”

Kentor Gold says it is confident the independent environmental audit will confirm the environmental impact of the project will be minimal. “Once the residual community anxieties about the project have been addressed in this way, discussions will move onto a more productive footing,” says Simon Milroy.

“Kentor Gold will cooperate fully with the environmental audit from the Ministry of Economic and Antitrust Policy to ensure the review is completed as expeditiously as possible.”

In April, Kentor was encouraged by the Kyrgyz Government’s moves to change a parliamentary decree opposing the development of the 70,000 gold ounce/7400 tonne copper project.

Andash is in the country’s northwest, within the Tien Shan gold belt that extends across central Asia. It is 280km from the capital Bishkek with a major rail line, water and power line nearby.

www.kentorgold.com.au