On 28 May 2025, the President of Uzbekistan received Robert Friedland, Executive Co-Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ivanhoe Mines Ltd., to discuss prospects for cooperation in geological exploration, metal mining, and processing.
During the meeting, Friedland informed the President about the launch of large-scale exploration activities in Kazakhstan’s Chu-Sarysu copper basin. Ivanhoe Mines has committed an initial $18.7 million for subsurface studies in the region, with total investments expected to rise to $115 million over the next four years.
Friedland highlighted that the project will utilize advanced airborne geophysical technologies and digital data analysis to unlock Kazakhstan’s untapped copper resources. He described the initiative as one of the most ambitious copper exploration campaigns in Kazakhstan’s history and noted its potential to reshape the global copper supply landscape.
The meeting underscored Ivanhoe Mines’ long-term vision for the region and emphasized the strategic importance of high-tech exploration methods in discovering and developing critical mineral assets.
