The country needs to produce 3Mt each year to meet its current energy needs.

Kyrgyzstan is rich in coal deposits, with proven reserves exceeding1 billion tonnes. If including estimated reserves, the total jumps to 5.7Bt.

Open-pit coal mining to a depth of 80-100 metres is gaining momentum throughout Kyrgyzstan, with the exception of certain sites in Sulyukta and Kok-Yangak, which adopt different mining methods.

Investment is urgently needed if Kyrgyzstan’s coal industry is going to get off the ground.

A profitable mine producing 500,000mt annually requires an investment of more than US $40 million specialists estimate, adding that such sites take seven or more years to break even.

The nation’s coal industry has also been fraught with problems.

Authorities investigating environmental complaints in 2012 found more than 100 violations of industrial and environmental safety regulations by 10 mining companies.

The economic loss caused by removing topsoil to develop open-pit mines amounted to $US147 million ($A159 million), authorities say.