ASSESSMENT OF THE COAL RESOURCES OF THE KYRGYZ REPUBLIC:

COAL CHARACTER AND DISTRIBUTION, GEOLOGY, MINING, AND IMPORTANCE TO THE NATION'S FUTURE

USGS Open File Report 97-137A (English)

IV. INFORMATION AVAILABILITY

One of the tasks undertaken by the resource assessment team was the gathering of available data pertinent to the coal resource situation in Kyrgyzstan from sources in Kyrgyzstan and the United States. The volume of information that was found is large. The scientific and engineering organizations and agencies of the former Soviet Union produced large quantities of data in a variety of formats and much of that information may still exist. Reportedly, a standardized distribution system was followed for practically all forms of data and information that was recorded on paper. Ordinarily, five copies were prepared of each report, letter, memorandum, etc. One copy went to a central records repository (fond), one to a central ministry or equivalent agency, one to the appropriate agency in the particular Soviet republic, one retained in the originating office or unit, and one kept by the author(s).

Much of the recorded material is fragmentary, such as progress reports, or separated data, such as analyses without sample information. In many cases, perhaps most, comprehensive reports-commonly final- were prepared for particular activities and many of these reports exist as "fond" (repository) literature. The problem is to locate the repository and gain access. Many reports were eventually made available in a published form as summary presentations at domestic and international meetings and much research information is formally preserved in the scientific series and reports of the former Soviet Union. Specialized libraries world-wide contain large quantities of this Russian-language scientific and technical literature. Unfortunately for westerners, much of this literature has not been translated to any other language. Consequently, the data resulting from this study may be the only information on Kyrgyz coals in forms familiar to European and North American geologists and engineers.

The team found that there are large quantities of unpublished information and raw data relevant to the coal resources of Kyrgyzstan in the files of such organizations as the Ministry of Geology and Mineral Resources in Bishkek. Recently, the available information on the geology, resources and characteristics of the coals of Kyrgyzstan have been compiled by T. S. Solpuyev, Head of the Coal Division of the Ministry of Geology and Mineral Resources. His compilation is particularly valuable because it identifies many unpublished works on the coals of Kyrgyzstan. He is presently engaged in preparing much of the data in a form for publication. Published reports that have been particularly helpful are those of Barsanayev (1991) and Dzhamanbayev (1983).

There is a significant amount of available information on the coals of Kyrgyzstan that is beyond the scope of this study; such as tests of pyrolysis behavior and products, mineral transformations at high temperatures, semicoke and coke formation, sorptive properties, tar production and type, briquetting and pelleting tests, extractions with organic solvents, humic acid fractionation, and others. The potential value of such information is difficult to judge, for in the most accessible sources the data are commonly presented isolated from the basic information about the samples. The systematic field and laboratory records from the Soviet Union era do appear to be preserved in large measure - though the loss of institutional memory and access because of retirements, job-switching, emigration, and even the unintentional physical loss or disorganization of records, may be happening at an accelerating rate.

In May, 1996, Bostick visited Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and conferred with S. M. Tomalak, First Deputy Director, and G. M. Ibragimov, Coal Utilization Engineer, of Kumir AB. Kumir AB is the present designation of the organization known as Sredazugol' in Soviet Union times, which was responsible for coal exploration and development in the Central Asian Region. Bostick was told that Kumir AB has "vast" quantities of inherited information about coals throughout the region. There was no opportunity for verification.

The teams efforts in gathering and organizing the available information is largely displayed in the Selected Bibliography to this report, which lists reports both cited and uncited. The bibliography does not attempt to list most fond material or the place of deposit. In the interests of preventing duplication, providing time-related comparative data, and avoiding unnecessary expense and delays, a centralized listing of available information according to type and depository should be created to avoid loss and expedite use in the future.

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