Illegal Gold Mine With Armed Guards Uncovered in Kyzylorda Region

The Financial Monitoring Agency (AFM) has uncovered an illegal gold mine in the Shieli District of the Kyzylorda Region. Investigators say the group extracted gold, guarded the site and transported the metal to Almaty for sale. Thirteen people were detained, Orda.kz reports.

The operation was based in the Zhamankol tract. According to investigators, the group had assigned roles in advance: some members organized the mining and recruited workers, others transported the gold and found buyers, while the rest guarded the site.

Lookouts were stationed around the perimeter to conceal the operation, while motorcycle patrols monitored the surrounding area and warned of outsiders and government officials,the AFM said.

The extracted gold was taken to Almaty and sold, with the proceeds divided among the group.

What Investigators Seized

Searches uncovered more than 500 grams of gold-bearing material, 12 metal detectors, two pieces of specialized equipment and six vehicles. Officers also found two air pistols and a smoothbore shotgun.

The AFM did not say whether the weapons had been used.

The investigation is continuing, and no further details have been released.

Orda.kz previously reported on another illegal gold mine in the East Kazakhstan Region. According to the AFM, the operation covered around 30 hectares, employed more than 30 workers and used heavy machinery. The mining damaged the soil and altered a riverbed.

Original author: Daria Malkova

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