Gas leaks create fire zones near M25 mine in Surkhandarya; residents raise concerns

"Small 'vents' appeared around the closed well, from which gas leaked and was then set on fire. They are trying to explain it by claiming that oil is leaking, but it's difficult to confirm. We don’t smell anything, and officials have been silent for a long time, only giving us promises," said one resident living near the mine.

Another resident mentioned that to monitor the situation, one person has been assigned to watch over each "spring" where gas is leaking. "In an area of 100 hectares, gas is leaking from about 18-19 small spots, with 1-2 of them being large wells," they explained.

Kun.uz reached out to the Ministry of Energy for a response, but the ministry’s press service has not yet replied.

The development of the M25 mine began in 2017 but was halted after an accident on September 1, 2024, leading to the relocation of residents living nearby.

In a subsequent accident on September 17, four employees of the contractor company, Eriell, tragically lost their lives.

Kun.uz reported on November 9 that another explosion occurred at the mine, followed by a large fire and a reduction in the unpleasant odor.

At the beginning of November, Energy Minister Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov stated that controlling the mine could take an additional 2-3 months.