Project to Address Primary Mercury Supply

The Republic of Kyrgyzstan operates, in the town of Khairdarken, the last primary mercury mine known to export mercury to the global market-place.  It represents approximately 10% of the global mercury market.  Generating new primary mercury is considered by the international community as the least preferred source of mercury supply, and action to assist Kyrgyzstan to transition away from primary mining has been recognized as a priority. Kyrgyzstan information brochure can be consulted here.

Initial partnership activities are underway between Kyrgyzstan, UNITAR, UNEP, ZOI Environment Network with financial support from Governments of Switzerland, USA and Norway. As a first step, a Memorandum of Agreement between the Kyrgyz authorities and UNITAR spelling out responsibilities and deliverables under the project was developed.  At the international level, a group of international advisers has been created to provide comments on methodology and project outputs.  Those interested in participating in the Adviser Group should contact us at mercury@chemicals.unep.ch .

The goal of this project is to assist the Republic of Kyrgyzstan to transition to more sustainable economic activities over the long term, in light of the future global mercury treaty.  Ultimately, limiting mercury supply globally will encourage the transition to alternative technologies in areas where mercury is still used. 

International Forum

An international forum will be held before the upcoming Ad hoc open-ended working group to prepare for the intergovernmental negotiating committee on mercury on Sunday 18 October 2009 in Bangkok, Thailand.  The objective of the meeting is to discuss the project in detail with experts available at the Ad Hoc Open Ended Working Group and in doing so to reflect upon the needs of Kyrgyzstan in transitioning to more sustainable economic activities over the long term.  Participation in the meeting is open. Contact mercury@chemicals.unep.ch to register for the meeting.

Meeting details and documentation are linked below:

Other related documentation

‘United Nations Statement - Kyrgyzstan Primary Mercury Mine’, delivered at the Kyrgyzstan National Forum on 6 July 2009, by the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Kyrgyz Republic, Mr. Neal Walker      English                        Russian           

Draft: Economic Benefits and Infrastructure Assessment. Review of local development opportunities and capacities in environmental remediation in the Khaidarkan area, KYRGYZSTAN             
English (word and pdf versions)                        Russian (word and pdf versions)