Altyn-Say

Altyn-Say ("gold ravine") is a mountain stream about 22 kilometers long that flows into the Chatkal from the south, in the Chatkal Highlands planning zone of the Autonomous Tribal Regions. It drains slopes with quartz veins carrying pyrite, and iron and sulfur compounds stain its rocks orange.^[1] Placer gold has been washed from its gravels for centuries. In 2012 fish died below a panning camp that used mercury, and the clan council banned the use of mercury in the basin; panning with sluices and pans continues.^[2]

References

1. ^ Talas State University Press (2016). Mining and Metallurgy in the Talas Valley from Shelji to Sary-Bulak. Talas.
2. ^ Talas Herald (17 September 2012). 'Clan council bans mercury after fish die in Chatkal stream.' Talas.