Revitalization and Future Focus
The Zhongda Oil Refinery, situated approximately 60 kilometers west of Bishkek in Kara-Balta, began construction in January 2014 with Chinese investments exceeding $300 million, commencing production in August of the same year. After a four-year shutdown, the refinery resumed operations in August 2024 following extensive repairs and modernization.
Currently, a significant modernization project is underway, with an estimated investment of $450 million, targeting completion by December 31, 2025. The refinery's total capacity is 800,000 tons of raw material per year. We aim to process 800-850 thousand tons of crude oil annually to produce gasoline (AI-85, AI-92, AI-97), diesel fuel, fuel oil, and engine oils, potentially meeting 50-70% of Kyrgyzstan's domestic fuel needs.
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Addressing Our Past, Building Our Future
Operational History
The refinery has faced operational challenges, including being offline twice, once reportedly due to a legal dispute over tax evasion and worker rights abuse in 2018. Operations have sometimes been shrouded in secrecy, leading to public concerns. We are committed to improving transparency and operational stability.
Environmental & Social Responsibility
We acknowledge past accusations regarding environmental impact and community relations, including violations of the Land Code, wastewater discharge issues, damage to ancient burial mounds, and concerns about air/water quality due to filter maintenance. We are actively working to address these concerns and improve our environmental and social performance.
Recent Events & Oversight
Addressing recent incidents and enhancing operational integrity.
May 2025 Fire Incident
A fire occurred at the refinery in May 2025. An investigation by the Chui region police department is underway to determine the cause and implement preventative measures.
Filter Maintenance Concerns
Allegations regarding unchanged filters impacting air and water quality have been raised. We are reviewing our maintenance protocols to ensure compliance and environmental protection.
Commitment to Improvement
We are dedicated to learning from past events and implementing best practices in safety, environmental management, and community engagement as part of our modernization.
Sustainable Operations
A key focus of our modernization is to enhance the sustainability of our operations, minimizing environmental impact and fostering better community relations.
Stakeholder Engagement
We aim to improve communication and collaboration with all stakeholders, including local communities and regulatory bodies.
Transparency
Striving for greater transparency in our operations and addressing public concerns proactively.