In a bid to bolster its resource base, Kazakhmys Corporation is actively seeking new technologies in ore dressing. A recent hackathon held at the Karaganda Technical University named after S.D. Saginov focused on innovative solutions for flotation, a crucial process in the metallurgical industry.
As many of Kazakhmys’ deposits are nearing depletion and current resource extraction methods are outdated, the corporation is looking to the future.
“The challenge now is to find engineering solutions that are applicable to our specific cases – our ore, its chemical composition and properties,” explained Saken Shayakhmetov, Director of Sustainable Development at Kazakhmys JSC. “If we can significantly increase efficiency through these solutions, it will be a major breakthrough.”
Three promising projects from the hackathon will be piloted on a smaller scale production. If proven successful, they will be implemented in larger-scale operations across the corporation.
This initiative aligns with the government’s focus on sustainable development in the mining industry.
“Today, we are tackling a specific problem – innovative copper leaching methods,” stated Sayasat Nurbek, Minister of Science and Higher Education of Kazakhstan. “This approach allows for the extraction of valuable minerals without disrupting the land, minimising mining damage, and promoting environmental protection.”
Beyond technological advancements in ore dressing, Kazakhmys Progress, a subsidiary of Kazakhmys, has achieved a significant milestone.
“Kazakhmys Progress” has launched the first production line of industrial selenium in Balhash. This marks the beginning of an environmentally friendly industrial-scale production process using a unique vacuum distillation method. The technology was developed by researchers at the Institute of Metallurgy and Enrichment, Satbayev University.
