9 June

...Kumtor, the seventh largest gold deposit in the world at the time, became the first mine in Central Asia to be operated by a Western company. But as often is the case with resource extraction in developing countries, the only parties who ended up gaining from the country’s mineral wealth were big businesses and corrupt politicians.

Through the years, Centerra has faced numerous accusations of environmental harm and human rights violations in relation to Kumtor. The company, unwaveringly defended by the Canadian government and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), has staunchly denied any wrongdoing, despite independent verification of infractions of international treaties and customary law – and apparent violations of Kyrgyz law that remain unprosecuted. In the pursuit of economic self-interest, it exploited the laxity of local legislative bodies through behind-the-scenes maneuverings with successive generations of sleazy officials...