Khaidarkan mercury 8 | 9
is one of the key elements to any comprehensive global
approach to address mercury.
If the mine closes, the need for reemployment and rehabili-
tation of exploited and contaminated areas will remain. The
mercury mine is the main source of income for the town
– about 10,000 people – and also creates indirect employ-
ment that may not continue without the income provided
by the mine. Water pumped from the mines to keep shafts
accessible is used for irrigation of the few areas suitable
for agriculture. While most of southern Kyrgyzstan relies on
agriculture as its main source of income, soil fertility and
climatic conditions in Khaidarkan valley are unfavourable.
Behind all these needs is the reduction of the resources avail-
able to the Government of Kyrgyzstan for preventing pollu-
tion, since independence from the former Soviet Union.
UNITAR and UNEP, in partnership with Zoï Environment
Network, with funding support from Switzerland, the Unit-
ed States of America and Norway, have assisted Kyrgyz-
stan with capacity building for Action Plan development.
With inputs from and the participation of a wide variety
of stakeholders, an Action Plan on Primary Mercury Min-
ing and its Impact on the Environment has been produced
and is being considered at the highest levels of govern-
ment. The following key areas have been identified for ac-
tion at Khaidarkan in the Action Plan:
• Development of socially responsible plans for mine clo-
sure, with environmentally acceptable and economically
affordable rehabilitation techniques defined to deal with
contaminated waste and land;
• Promotion of other viable economic activities and ways
of sustaining livelihoods that do not involve primary mer-
cury mining must be developed;
• Improved public awareness, strengthened controls, im-
proved information and reporting are also needed.
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