Kumtor Operating Company (Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic):

Abduvaliev A. M., Manager, e-mail: aibek_abduvaliev@kumtor.com

The author examines issues of water monitoring in the Kumtor River in the area of influence of the high-altitude Kumtor Mine currently in operation. The article shows concentrations of aluminum, iron, nickel, sulphates and suspended particles in the Kumtor River basin. The operating mine exerts, although low, impact on the Kumtor River being the main water body in the mining lease area. Higher concentrations of sulphates and suspended particles are observed in the mine influence zones. For instance, the Davydov glacier-derived runoff containing the Kumtor Mine water exhibits high concentrations of sulphates whereas the mine water can be reused at preparation plan for process needs. To reduce concentrations of suspended particles, it is required to clean gold washing cradles from accumulations of suspended particles using earthmoving machines twice a year: before thawing period and, later on, before wintertime.

1. Available at: www.ASTM.com
2. Pravila nadzora za rozlivami provintsii Saskachevan (Kanada). SSCR (Saskatchewan Surgical Care Registry (SSCR)). 1996.
3. Bokonbaev K. D. Spravochnik predelno dopustimykh kontsentratsiy orientirovannykh bezopasnykh urovney vozdeystviya, dopustimykh urovney, metodov kontrolya i drugikh kharakteristik vrednykh veshchestv v obektakh okruzhayushchey sredy (Reference book of admissible concentration limits of approximately safe impact levels, acceptable levels, control methods and other characteristics of harmful substances in environmental objects). Bishkek : «Olimp», 1997, 335 p.
4. Roeva L., Rovinskiy E. Ya. Analiticheskaya khimiya – Analytical chemistry, 1996, Vol. 51, No. 4, pp. 384–397.
5. Boeva L. V., Nazarova A. A. Rukovodyashchiy dokument. Vzveshennye veshchestva i obshchee soderzhanie primesey v vodakh. RD 52.24.468-2005 (Management directive. Suspended materials and total amount of impurities in waters. RD 52.24.468-2005). Moscow, 2005.