On October 10, 2025, a meeting of the International Business Council's Mineral Resources Committee was held with the participation of Marat Jusupbekov, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision and Director of the Kyrgyz Geological Service.

A wide range of issues within the purview of the Kyrgyz Geological Service were considered, including upcoming amendments to legislation. Representatives of the country's largest subsoil users, as well as the expert and consulting community, discussed key issues affecting the investment attractiveness and sustainability of Kyrgyzstan's mining industry.

“We hold such meetings regularly, and today's meeting was an effective platform for achieving its goals through focused and impactful interaction. We exchanged opinions and developed balanced proposals that require finding common ground between government and business. For company representatives, this was also an opportunity to directly discuss pressing issues with the leadership of the authorized body and present their initiatives," said Cholpon Joldosheva, IBC Deputy Director.

A number of issues were discussed during the meeting.

Upcoming changes to Kyrgyz legislation.

Participants expressed concern about a provision in the draft Law "On Subsoil Resources" that stipulates license termination if less than 25% of annual production volume is achieved for two consecutive years. According to business representatives, this provision could lead to duplication of liability, a violation of the principle of proportionality, and increase regulatory risks.

IBC proposed not to include this provision in the final text of the bill.

Extension of exploration licenses. IBC noted the limited renewal period for exploration licenses—currently, only a single extension is permitted, and for only two years. This timeframe is insufficient for large projects, especially when transitioning from open-pit to underground mining. It was proposed to consider amending the Law "On Subsoil Resources" to establish a flexible approach to license renewal periods depending on the scale and complexity of the project.

The issue of preserving the right to use licenses as collateral is particularly important for investment and lending projects. Industry experts say that this right is relevant for competitive projects, as the funds are typically always borrowed, and the license is often used as collateral along with other assets.

Также был поднят вопрос о порядке начисления и уплаты сбора за удержание лицензий.

The issue of the procedure for calculating and paying the fee for retaining licenses was also raised.

Development of a Critical Minerals Industry Development Strategy. The status of the document developed by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) was questioned. According to IBC, the adoption of the strategy would allow Kyrgyzstan to integrate into global supply chains for critical minerals, create jobs, and accelerate the transition to a green economy. IBC proposed expediting the strategy's approval.

Methodology for calculating the cost of reclamation work. The lack of a methodology complicates environmental assessments and reclamation cost planning. IBC emphasized the importance of promptly adoption of the methodology.

KGS Director Marat Jusupbekov informed that the Critical Minerals Strategy and Reclamation Methodology are currently under development at the Ministry and will be revised based on proposals from subsoil users.

Following the meeting, the IBC and the KGS agreed to continue joint work to improve the regulatory framework for subsoil use, including the preparation of proposals for draft laws and regulations.