Kyrgyzstan sues Canadian mining company for $300M

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, Dec. 7 (UPI) -- The government of Kyrgyzstan has sued a Canadian mining company, saying Centerra Gold did not pay the required deposits for environmental damage.

The lawsuit was filed in the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek, the Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported. It seeks $300 million for damage to the environment between 1996 and 2011.

Centerra operates the Kumtor mine through its Kyrgyz subsidiary, Kumtor Operating Co. The mine's deposits of gold are estimated to be 700 tons.

In the past year, Kyrgyzstan has been trying to increase its share of Kumtor from the current 33 percent. The government said Centerra has failed to pay voluntarily for the damage.