Health and safety FAQ

– Is there radiation at the mine?

– The average radiation level at the mine site is 17 microroentgen per hour compared with an average of 20 microroentgen per hour across Kyrgyzstan while 60 microroentgen per hour is regarded as a high level.

– Are there any tailings storage failure risks?

– The tailings dam was designed by the leading experts of the Kyrgyz Republic and BGC Engineering, a consulting firm in Canada. The tailings management facilities are arranged so that even in an emergency like a Lavidov Lake outburst flood they will not be affected. More than 200 controllers enable the engineers to monitor the dam’s state.

– How cyanide is managed at Kumtor?

– Kumtor manages cyanide in accordance with the International Cyanide Management Code for the Manufacture, Transport and Use of Cyanide in the Production of Gold. The International Cyanide Management Institute announced on September 14, 2015 that Kumtor Cyanide Transportation Operation in the Kyrgyz Republic has been certified as fully compliant with the International Cyanide Management Code. In addition, Kumtor was found to be “substantially compliant” with the Code for the operation and use of cyanide.

– How safe is it to work at the mine?

– In his work, any employee is guided by the principle: no job is so important that we cannot take the time to do it safely.
A safety plan is effective at the mine, which includes the following components:
TRAINING SESSIONS: No full-time or contract employee may be admitted to work unless he or she has undergone a safety and environmental training. Only those employees are admitted to work who have successfully passed an exam following the training program.
RESCUE SERVICE: The mine has its own rescue service represented by four mine-rescue teams. Weekly exercises enable them to respond promptly to any emergency. The Kumtor teams have won prizes at a number of international rescue competitions. All rescue teams of Kumtor Gold Company consist of volunteers, who regularly undergo training at the Kumtor Mine and have the Government-approved rescue certificates.

– Who is responsible for monitoring the employees’ state of health?

– The mine has a medical center which has requisite equipment for providing first aid or examining the employees. Also, each employee is required to take an annual medical in a Bishkek clinic.

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