The project was initiated by Kumtor Gold Company, while direct implementation is being carried out by its subsidiary, Kumtor Operating Company.

The Togolok deposit was discovered in 1978. It is located in a remote mountainous area of Jeti-Oguz district in Issyk-Kul region. The nearest settlement is the village of Ak-Shyirak, situated at an altitude of nearly 3,200 meters above sea level and 35 kilometers from the deposit. The distance from Bishkek to Togolok is approximately 560 kilometers.

Severe climatic conditions, difficult terrain, and remoteness from infrastructure made the launch of operations a major challenge for company specialists. Nevertheless, extensive preparatory work was completed within a short period.

To ensure access to the deposit, existing roads were widened, as they had previously only allowed a single passenger vehicle to pass. A new bridge was also built across Kaichy River, along with infrastructure upgrades and strengthening of the future mine’s material and technical base.

Kumtor Operating Company received the license for developing the deposit on August 8, 2023. A year later, the project’s feasibility study was completed, confirming its profitability.

Chairman of the Board Kanimet Toktosunov said mining operations at the deposit began in spring 2026.

«At present, stripping operations are underway, and extraction of the first ore is expected to begin in the coming months. For the project, eight large mining dump trucks, two mining excavators, a loader, and a grader for road maintenance have been purchased and delivered to the site. In addition, a modern dormitory for 85 employees has been built in just six months,» he said.

Given the scale and complexity of the project, a tender was announced among companies specializing in turnkey mining complex construction.

As a result, the winner was China Nerin Engineering Co., Ltd., which has extensive international experience. The company, founded in 1986, has implemented similar projects in dozens of countries worldwide. In April 2026, the parties signed an agreement for the construction of industrial facilities required for the mine’s full launch.

Kumtor Operating Company believes the project will become an important milestone in the country’s modern history and make a significant contribution to the development of Kyrgyzstan’s industrial potential. Soon, we will witness the first gold from the Togolok deposit.

It is expected that the first gold will be extracted from the deposit in the near future, opening a new chapter in the history of domestic gold mining.

China Nerin Engineering Co., Ltd. was founded in 1986. Its main areas of expertise include engineering surveys and design for energy and transportation facilities, urban infrastructure, environmental facilities, industrial and civil facilities, construction and installation work.

Over the years, the company has successfully implemented complex and technologically intensive projects in countries such as Russia, Kazakhstan, Australia, Canada, Germany, Turkey, Chile, Egypt, South Africa, and the Republic of Korea.