According to local authorities, jade is a rare mineral known for its strength and durability. The discovery of such a scale is significant both for the district and for the entire region, as it represents a natural heritage site. This finding could become an important element of scientific research and contribute to the development of the area's tourism potential.
Geological experts note that such finds are considered unique. Jade forms as a result of complex processes in the Earth's crust and is characterized by high density and strength, making it particularly valuable.
Local authorities plan to create a park-tourist zone at the site of the stone's discovery to preserve it and provide access for those wishing to see it.
A boulder of jade-like rock was also discovered in the southern part of the village of Chon-Kyzyl-Suu, about three kilometers from the settlement, in the riverbed of the Chon-Kyzyl-Suu River.
In 2013-2014, local residents attempted to extract and sell this stone, but due to its weight, which was then estimated at 162 tons, they were unsuccessful. At that time, the boulder was considered the second largest in the world after a similar object in Canada. Subsequently, the youth of the village decided to cover the stone to preserve it.
In the last two to three years, villagers have repeatedly approached regional and district authorities with proposals to reopen the boulder and use it for organizing tourist events.
As a result, on January 13, after discussions at a meeting in the district state administration, it was decided to hold the "Ak Ilbirs" festival in the Chon-Kyzyl-Suu gorge as part of winter tourism development, along with the opening of the stone. The organization of the event will be carried out by the rural administration of the Orgocor rural district.
Currently, district authorities have signed a contract with the municipal enterprise "Ishtterman," and preparations for the opening of the jade stone and the "Ak Ilbirs" festival are underway with the involvement of heavy machinery.
About the 2013 find
In 2013, a jade nugget weighing an estimated 100 tons was discovered in the village of Chon-Kyzyl-Suu. The State Agency for Geology and Mineral Resources of Kyrgyzstan published photographs of this boulder.
To verify the discovery of jade, a special commission was created and sent to the site of the find. During field studies, rock samples were collected for mineralogical analysis. The state agency reported that the single specimen of jade-like rock has no practical significance.
Nevertheless, residents decided to protect the find from possible theft. Some of them estimated the value of the stone, if research confirms it to be jade, at 7-10 million dollars, which they would like to use to improve the infrastructure of their rural district.
In 2013, the stone was hidden underwater to prevent its theft.
State Geology specialist Ivan Malukhin then suggested that it was a jadeoid, 90% of which was underwater. He noted that this rock was of low quality but did not rule out that high-quality jade could be inside.
In August 2013, the State Agency for Geology and Mineral Resources reported that after conducting analyses, it was determined that this rock has a very distant relation to jade. Samples were examined, and scientists concluded that it is a jadeoid, which can be used as decorative raw material, although in limited quantities due to its fissures and poor coloration.
The issue of distributing potential profits from the development of the jade deposit in the Jeti-Oguz district was actively discussed in the walls of the Jogorku Kenesh in 2014.
According to expert estimates for 2022-2023, the cost of jade extraction is 2-5 dollars per kilogram, while its price on the world market ranges from 10 to 20 thousand dollars per kilogram, depending on the variety and quality. This stone is particularly highly valued in China.
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