Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan - Kyrgyzstan's Prime Minister resigned on Thursday following his government's inability to conclude a new deal with Canada's Centerra Gold for the country's biggest gold mine.
Jomart Otorbaev has come under heavy pressure from parliament in recent weeks as negotiations over the Centerra-operated Kumtor gold mine stalled.
Addressing the parliament, the 59-year-old former advisor at the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development said he expected his successor to be more "decisive".
"A lot of work was done, however, we were unable to finish many things," he said.
"In the current situation the government needs a shakeup in order to improve its future work."
He added that his decision would enable the ruling coalition to "choose a more decisive prime minister."
Otorbaev's government fell short of securing improved ownership terms for Kumtor, which accounted for 7.4 percent of gross domestic product last year.
AFP
