AUCA students visit Kumtor gold mine

May 20, 2016

On April 23, 2016, students from the Logistics and Supply Chain Management Certificate Program at the American University of Central Asia (AUCA) visited the Kumtor gold mine. The Kumtor mine is the largest gold mine in Kyrgyzstan and one of the largest deposits of gold in the world. The site is located at an altitude of 4,000 meters above sea level in a permafrost zone of the Central Tien-Shan Mountains.

The purpose of the trip was to introduce students to the astronomical logistics of everyday operations at one of the biggest companies in Kyrgyzstan.

Photo credit: Vlad Ushakov

The trip took place over two days. The evening before, the group arrived at a Hotel in Tamga, and the gold mine tour started the next morning. The group included students, AUCA teachers, Kumtor employees and local professional photographer Vlad Ushakov.

Over the trip, the group visited a quarry, a mine, the factory, Petrov Lake, and Kumtor River. The group also had the opportunity to climb up to an altitude of 4200 m. Naturally, some of the students were unaccustomed the relative lack of atmosphere due to the high altitude, but in any case, the students agreed the trip was a real adventure and a valuable learning experience.

<< go to news list