Altynken, Zijin’s gold mining subsidiary in Kyrgyzstan, recently invited representatives from the Kemin District government, local schools and civil society organizations to its mine site for a community open day. In a first for the company, the conventional site visit evolved into a day of friendly competitions, allowing local residents and Altynken employees to interact on the sports field and across the chessboard.

A total of 145 participants from Altynken, the district government, schools and civil society organizations formed 17 teams and competed at the mine’s football field and basketball court. The company presented prize money and trophies to the winning individuals and teams.

For many visitors, the event offered a fresh view of the mine site. Ulan Kudusov, a high school student from Kemin District who visited the mine for the first time, said the site looked very different from what he had imagined a mining area to be, with straight, level concrete roads, flowers in bloom along the roadside, and clean, orderly buildings.

Kanbolot Musaevich Tutuev, Head of Kemin District, said the event brought the company and the community closer through sport and shared enjoyment, while building a stronger sense of common purpose.

Altynken has operated in the region for more than 15 years and holds quarterly community liaison meetings with the Kemin District. This open day, themed “Rock-Solid Bonds, Shared Development,” was proposed by the company during the first-quarter meeting and finalized after discussions between both sides.

Altynken and Kemin District plan to make such cultural exchange activities a regular part of their programs. The next event is scheduled for next quarter at the Kemin District Government gymnasium.