The Minister of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision of Kyrgyzstan, Akyl Toktobaev, held a meeting in the Batken region, where issues of rational subsoil use, soil condition, and industrial safety were discussed.
During his visit, the minister familiarized himself with the work of the regional administration and set strict requirements for subsoil users. Each project in the mining sector must include an approved reclamation plan and a system of continuous environmental monitoring to prevent soil degradation and protect groundwater.
Toktobaev emphasized the importance of environmental safety, which should take precedence alongside production indicators. The effectiveness of mining companies will be assessed not only by extraction volumes but also by the quality of land restoration. The minister called for increased control over companies' commitments to soil fertility protection and prevention of toxic contamination.
“We are moving to a model of strict control. Any activity related to subsoil use must include protocols for protecting aquifers and soils. This is a fundamental requirement for subsoil users in 2026,” noted Akyl Toktobaev.
As a result of the meeting, an action plan was approved, which includes:
conducting regular inspections of compliance with reclamation project documents;
creating a monitoring system for groundwater quality in mining activity zones;
assessing soil conditions to prevent irreversible degradation.
The minister noted that systematic control of subsoil conditions will become a crucial tool for ensuring environmental stability in the Batken region.
