Ancient Metallurgy. The mastery of metal smelting in human history was a great discovery that led to the accelerated growth of productive forces in agriculture, woodworking, and metalworking; an increase in the combat capability of weaponry; the durability of household tools and weapons; and progressive economic and social changes in society. Based on archaeological sources, it has been revealed that some of the first metallic tools used by humans in 8-6 thousand BC were: awls with
Kyrgyzstan has deep traditions in the exploration of mineral resources. As early as the beginning of the 20th century, industries for coal, oil, lead, mercury, antimony, and copper were operational. During World War II, more than 20 enterprises were engaged in the extraction of lead, antimony, mercury, gold, tungsten, arsenic, and coal. Later, the mining and metallurgy sector of Kyrgyzstan played a significant role in the raw material economy of the USSR. The share of mineral product
The share of the forest, woodworking, and pulp and paper industry of the republic in 2000 was: by the number of employed workers 1.0%; by product output — 0.6%; by the value of fixed assets — 0.7%. Despite this, the industry is of great importance as it provides the population with essential items made from wood, widely used in everyday life.
The food industry of pre-revolutionary Kyrgyzstan was represented by several small artisanal enterprises: mills, oil presses, and breweries, as well as salt mines. By the time the Kara-Kyrgyz Autonomous Region was established, there were only 28 enterprises here. Before the war, the food industry of the republic grew significantly. New sectors emerged: meat, dairy (14 butter and cheese factories), sugar, winemaking, baking, and others.
The light industry of Kyrgyzstan encompasses its three sectors: textile, garment, and leather-footwear. It accounts for 24% of the industrial workforce and 30% of the gross output of all industries, which ensures its priority in the economic potential of the republic. Before the October Revolution, there were only a few private semi-handicraft enterprises in Kyrgyzstan for the primary processing of agricultural raw materials—wool washing and cotton cleaning points. During the pre-war five-year
In Kyrgyzstan, among metalworking enterprises, a repair and mechanical plant was commissioned in Bishkek in 1931. In the 1930s, the metalworking industry developed at an accelerated pace. From 1928 to 1940, the gross output of the industry increased by 10.4 times, while that of metalworking increased by 26.1 times. During this period, the foundation of domestic machine engineering was formed. Machine engineering developed particularly rapidly during the Great Patriotic War based on evacuated
The traces of ancient mining operations in the territory of Kyrgyzstan indicate that mercury, lead, zinc, gold, copper, etc. have been extracted here since ancient times. The volume of extraction of certain minerals speaks to a significant level of work during those times (for example, at the lead mines of Kana and Guta). Gold was historically mined in the Turkestan Range, in Chatkal, Uzun-Akmate, Talas, Suusamyr, Issyk-Kul, and other places. Before the collapse of the USSR, Kyrgyzstan was
Before 1917, the electric power industry in Kyrgyzstan, as a separate branch of industry, hardly existed. In 1913-14, only 5 small power plants operated with a total capacity of 265 kW: the thermal station of the Kyzyl-Kyisky coal deposit (121 kW), two hydropower plants in the city of Osh (120 kW), the Bishkek diesel power station (16.5 kW), and the Karakol diesel power station (7.5 kW).
The Republic has a significant amount of diverse fuel and energy resources. Involving them in production allows for gradually addressing the issues of reducing the import of energy carriers from other countries and increasing the efficiency of the fuel and energy complex, which consists of two major sectors: fuel production (coal, oil, gas extraction) and electric power generation. The fuel and energy complex represents an inter-industry system for the production of fuel and energy, including
The development of Kyrgyzstan's industry began even before the October Revolution. In 1913, the share of industrial production was 3%. Before the revolution, compared to Russia, industrial output per capita in Kyrgyzstan was 16 times lower. The industry, based on artisanal production, was engaged in the processing of agricultural raw materials (86.5% of total industrial output). Before the revolution, there was 1 artisanal candy factory, 2 breweries, and 2 tanneries operating in
In the first half of 2014, industrial enterprises produced goods worth 65,851.3 million soms, with a physical volume index of 107.2 percent compared to the first half of 2013. Excluding enterprises involved in the development of the Kumtor deposit, the figure was 40,799.8 million soms, or 105 percent, with a 103.7 percent index as of May 2014. In June 2014, industrial production amounted to 11,357.5 million soms, with a physical volume index of 110.3 percent compared to June 2013. Excluding
Water is essential for electricity production: over 90% of the electricity for household consumption in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan is generated by hydropower plants. As for hydropower resources, the potential of the republic is estimated at 142.5 billion kWh of possible annual electricity generation (16.3 million kW in capacity), which can serve as a basis for large-scale hydropower construction. The technically feasible hydropower resources of the republic amount to 72.9 billion kWh, of which
