About 300 citizens of several Kyrgyz villages have blocked the road to the gold deposit Kumtor exploited by Kyrgyz and Canadian joint venture Kumtorzoloto.

According to ITAR-TASS, these people demand from the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic and Centerra Gold, that owns 70% of Kumtorzoloto, to pay the indemnity for the harm caused to miners and people living near the deposit.

Over 70% of the total Kyrgyz gold resources are accumulated at Kumtor deposit. In 2004 about 21 tons of gold were mined there. At the beginning of 2005 the gold resources of the deposit are estimated at 88 tons.