Kumtor gold mine

Kumtor lies in the Tian Shan in Issyk-Kul Region, 60 km south of the lake and close to the Chinese border, about 350 km from Bishkek.

Producing gold since 1997, it had yielded more than 13.8 million ounces — over 430 tonnes — by mid-2022. Only Yanacocha in Peru is a higher gold mine.

For many years Kumtor was the main source of Kyrgyz industrial output and exports; work beside glaciers has caused environmental controversy. Today the mine is under the control of the Kyrgyz state.