CRM Mining in Central Asia Region: Recommendations from Civil Society

Both Issues of transparency and accountability in subsoil use have always been and remain crucial for local communities. According to the Constitutions of almost all Central Asia has significant reserves of such minerals, but the development of modern and profitable deposits has not received much attention, as the main priority has been coal, hydrocarbons, and traditional ores. This has now changed significantly, and interest from global producers in Central Asian CRM deposits is rapidly growing. Countries in the region are actively signing Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) on CRM development, new companies are entering the exploration and production market, and significant investment is being attracted.  However, this process is associated with a number of risks that must be considered when planning investments. Civil society organizations frequently encounter complaints from local communities living in mining areas, and these complaints invariably focus on deteriorating quality of life - environmental issues, labour rights, land seizure, etc. - that significantly outweigh the benefits advertised at the project launch. Therefore, this paper puts forward a set of recommendations aimed at mitigating the impacts of mining projects and improving the quality of life of local communities.