Centerra Gold looks into reports on Kumtor order

TORONTO (Reuters) - Centerra Gold (CG.TO: Quote) said on Monday it was looking into media reports that the Kyrgyz Republic's supreme court had issued an order to the country's government suspending certain agreements surrounding Centerra's Kumtor gold mine.

Centerra has been waiting for the country's parliament to pass a tax and ownership agreement reached last fall that would give Kyrgyzstan a bigger stake in the company, while firming up the company's hold on the mine.

In a statement, the Canadian company said the reports said the court order was issued pending resolution of application by the vice-speaker of parliament to annul agreements surrounding Kumtor.

Centerra, which is majority-owned by Canadian uranium miner Cameco Corp (CCO.TO: Quote), said it was seeking further clarification from the government.

"The company is not party to any of the proceedings, did not receive any notice of the application to the supreme court, and has not received any official notice of the order," Centerra said.

The company said disputes with respect to the project are subject to international arbitration and therefore the courts do not have jurisdiction.

The ownership deal, which would see Cameco's stake in the company fall to 40 percent while the government's stake would double to about 31 percent, is seen as essential to quelling lingering fears that the government might nationalize the mine.

Centerra's stock was down 25 cents at $10.00 on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

(Reporting by Cameron French; Editing by Bernadette Baum)