Resilient Residents of Kopuro-Bazar
Kopuro-Bazar village is located in the Talas region, on the southern slope of the Kyrgyz Ridge. It is quite easy to find – the village is situated along the Bishkek–Talas highway.
The village is relatively prosperous, with a population of 5,483 people.
The main sources of income for the local residents are livestock farming and agricultural activities focused on exporting environmentally friendly products to Kazakhstan.
Products are sold to nearby settlements in Kazakhstan, where they are in high demand and highly valued as organic.
Kopuro-Bazar village is connected to the regional center, the city of Talas, by a well-maintained road with gravel (30 km) and asphalt (45 km) surfaces. The distance from the capital of the Kyrgyz Republic, Bishkek, is 475 km (via Talas and Taraz).
In the spring of 2006, the residents of the village learned that a copper-gold ore deposit called "Andash" would be developed 2.5 km from the village.
This deposit was discovered in 1962, in the right bank area of the Karakol River, at an altitude of 2000 to 2400 meters above sea level. According to updated data, the reserves amount to 20 tons of gold and 70,000 tons of copper.
Residents, concerned about the situation, did not have sufficient information regarding the development of the deposit and its impact on the environmental situation and public health. They were worried about the future of the birch grove, which had been planted over 18 hectares and was a source of pride for the villagers, and a large part of the population was firmly against the development of the deposit.
Uncertainty and rumors provoked a wave of protests by the local population against the development of the deposit, which included blocking highways. The conflict was resolved after a meeting with the Prime Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic, who promised to suspend the development of the deposit.
The company was unable to reach an agreement with the local residents.
In 2017, "Andash Mining Company" lost its license to develop the gold ore deposit. The license was revoked based on the Law of the Kyrgyz Republic "On Subsoil".
It states that the basis for revoking the license is the failure to eliminate the reasons that led to the suspension of the right to use subsoil within the specified time. The company did not submit the report on time.
Notable Residents of the Village
Kulsobaeva, Kulgaky (born 1930) — Hero of Socialist Labor.
Tugolbay Kazakov — Minister of Culture of the Kyrgyz Republic and singer, artist.
Mayram Akayeva — Doctor of Sciences, wife of former President of the Kyrgyz Republic A. Akayev.
Iskender Aydaraliev — Governor of Talas and Jalal-Abad, and Deputy Prime Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic.
Malik Alikeev — Singer.
Aman Toktogulov — Poet.
Bakyt Karagulov — Film director.
Bolot Aydaraliev — Cinematographer.
Karypbai Sarymsakov — one of the top 10 international judges in Greco-Roman wrestling.
Toichubek Kasymov — Veterinarian, Governor of Talas and Chui regions, head of the Presidential Administration of the Kyrgyz Republic.