Kumtor now has put in place safeguards that meet North American standards, and implemented an Environmental Management Action Plan and an Emergency Response Plan. In 1999, there were no environmental incidents reported at Kumtor. A Kyrgyz government investigation of environmental safety at Kumtor was undertaken by the Institute of Physics and Geology. They found that environmental disasters are endemic to the method of open pit ore extraction at Kumtor in which explosives and highly toxic poisons are used. In the extraction of the gold, the poison cyanide and other toxic agents are used which can have a highly negative impact on the environment.
Explosions lead to an increased number of toxic elements in the air.
Comeco also stores toxic waste under the glaciers. As the climate warms, explosives can result in the movement of the glaciers and cause avalanches, which in turn can lead to the terrible consequences. Today Kyrgyzstan attracts a lot of foreign mining and metallurgic companies to a large extent by its soft environmental laws. The Kyrgyz government invites foreign companies because they are very profitable for Kyrgyzstan's developing economy. But it is very important for the country to develop strict environmental legislation.