IBC, DFID and IFC discussed problems in the subsoil use

IBC Executive Director Temirbek Azhykulov and Deputy Executive Director Askar Sydykov met with IFC Program Manager Christopher Miller and DFID representative Ahmet Shamiev. DFID and IFC plan to develop grant activities in the mining industry of Kyrgyzstan. The meeting discussed the current situation in the mining sector and problems in the legislation on subsoil use to identify areas in which support of these organizations is needed. IBC representatives informed on problems in the subsoil use licensing (during competitions, auctions, and licensing), in subsoil use taxation (the mechanism of tax calculation and tax payments needs reforming), in obtaining land for subsurface infrastructure, as well as in companies’ relationships with local communities. IBC also believes that it is necessary to complete the process of digitization of geological information and to accelerate the transition to JORC mandatory system for the classification of minerals exploration results.