BISHKEK — Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev has lifted a state of emergency imposed last week in a district near the country's massive Kumtor gold mine, one of the nation's largest earners, following a blockade and riots near the site lasting several days.
The president's office said on Monday that the situation at the Canadian-run mine, which is one of Kyrgyzstan's most valuable assets, had returned to normal after hundreds of people besieged it last Tuesday. The state of emergency and a curfew in the area were originally due to be in force until June 10.
The mine is now back at work, Centerra Gold, its Canadian operator, said in a statement on its website on Sunday.
"On Saturday, June 1, 2013 road access to the mine was re-established and national grid power to the mine site was restored," the company said.
(RIA Novosti)
