Glaciers worldwide are retreating due to climate change. However, local human activities can also influence their dynamics. Here, we examine the impact of gold mining operations at the Kumtor Gold Mine on Davydov Glacier in the Central Tien Shan, Kyrgyzstan, using a 3D thermodynamic ice flow model. By analysing satellite observations and model simulations, we find that mining activities over the past two decades have shortened the glacier by approximately 2 km and reduced its volume by 160 million m³ compared to a scenario driven solely by climate forcing. If mining ceases, the glacier could temporarily advance by up to 100 m. However, by 2060, our projections show it will retreat beyond the mining site, with no significant differences between mining and no-mining scenarios. By 2100, projected volume losses range from 40% to 99%, depending on climate conditions. Our findings highlight the significant role of human activities in shaping glacier geometry, stability, and long-term evolution, underscoring the impacts of landscape modifications on glacier dynamics.