Unreclaimed Coal Mines of the Suluktinskoye Deposit
39°56’6537″N 69°44’4667″E
The coal industry is one of the most controversial in terms of profitability and one of the most dangerous in terms of its negative impact on ecology and human health within Kyrgyzstan's fuel and energy complex. Despite many countries recently moving away from coal in favor of alternative energy sources, thereby provoking a decrease in demand and devaluation of this type of fuel, local authorities still consider coal a promising sector of the industry and are taking measures to increase coal production. In the Batken region, more than 300,000 tons of coal are extracted annually. However, complex underground operations are often conducted without adherence to technical safety regulations, and unqualified local residents are involved in the extraction of black gold.
Coal mines and open-pit mines pollute the atmospheric air and water bodies, poison and permanently destroy the genetic profile of the soil, and become sources of a vast amount of hazardous waste and industrial debris. Coal dust, soot, and fine particulate matter released into the atmosphere during coal extraction and transportation can lead to oncological and other diseases of the heart and respiratory system, resulting in premature deaths for hundreds of people. Official statistics confirm that in coal mining areas, air, water, and soil pollution, as well as high morbidity and mortality rates, are significantly higher than in regions distant from coal enterprises. However, in most cases, authorities and regulatory bodies prefer not to speak about this openly. These plans mean that coal pits, which have already expanded over the past decades, will continue to grow. Open-pit coal mining permanently alters the landscape. Authorities and businesses often talk about land reclamation, but this is a lengthy process. Recently conducted environmental monitoring in the licensed area of coal mining enterprises, particularly in the Kokine-Sai, 8th and 11th fields, showed that…
Dumping sites are arranged haphazardly. No containers for household waste have been established.
There are landslide phenomena observed throughout the coal extraction sites and adjacent urban areas.
There are marshy areas resulting from the extraction of groundwater.
Pits for the temporary storage of extracted coal are abandoned and require reclamation work.
The technological roads in some areas do not meet road safety requirements, and no warning road signs have been installed for the orientation of vehicle drivers.
Drainage ditches have not been constructed around the mines.
No permits have been obtained from coal mining companies for the emission of pollutants into the atmosphere or for waste disposal.
It should be noted that one of the oldest coal pits in the country is located in Suluktu. Coal extraction here began in 1868.
The coal industry is one of the most controversial in terms of profitability and one of the most dangerous in terms of its negative impact on ecology and human health within Kyrgyzstan's fuel and energy complex. Despite many countries recently moving away from coal in favor of alternative energy sources, thereby provoking a decrease in demand and devaluation of this type of fuel, local authorities still consider coal a promising sector of the industry and are taking measures to increase coal production. In the Batken region, more than 300,000 tons of coal are extracted annually. However, complex underground operations are often conducted without adherence to technical safety regulations, and unqualified local residents are involved in the extraction of black gold.
Coal mines and open-pit mines pollute the atmospheric air and water bodies, poison and permanently destroy the genetic profile of the soil, and become sources of a vast amount of hazardous waste and industrial debris. Coal dust, soot, and fine particulate matter released into the atmosphere during coal extraction and transportation can lead to oncological and other diseases of the heart and respiratory system, resulting in premature deaths for hundreds of people. Official statistics confirm that in coal mining areas, air, water, and soil pollution, as well as high morbidity and mortality rates, are significantly higher than in regions distant from coal enterprises. However, in most cases, authorities and regulatory bodies prefer not to speak about this openly. These plans mean that coal pits, which have already expanded over the past decades, will continue to grow. Open-pit coal mining permanently alters the landscape. Authorities and businesses often talk about land reclamation, but this is a lengthy process. Recently conducted environmental monitoring in the licensed area of coal mining enterprises, particularly in the Kokine-Sai, 8th and 11th fields, showed that…
Dumping sites are arranged haphazardly. No containers for household waste have been established.
There are landslide phenomena observed throughout the coal extraction sites and adjacent urban areas.
There are marshy areas resulting from the extraction of groundwater.
Pits for the temporary storage of extracted coal are abandoned and require reclamation work.
The technological roads in some areas do not meet road safety requirements, and no warning road signs have been installed for the orientation of vehicle drivers.
Drainage ditches have not been constructed around the mines.
No permits have been obtained from coal mining companies for the emission of pollutants into the atmosphere or for waste disposal.
It should be noted that one of the oldest coal pits in the country is located in Suluktu. Coal extraction here began in 1868.
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