Kazakhstan’s gold miner RG Gold has described 2025 as a turning point in its development following the acquisition of the Raygorodok deposit in Akmola region by global mining major Zijin Mining Group. The deal, valued at more than $1 billion, transferred 100% ownership of the asset to Zijin and marked one of the largest transactions in the country’s mining sector in recent years.
According to the company, the entry of a new shareholder has provided access to international technologies, management standards and long-term strategic capital, while significantly raising the scale of future ambitions. RG Gold plans to invest around $500 million in the construction of a new processing plant, which would increase ore processing capacity by an additional 10 million tonnes per year. This would lift total annual throughput to more than 16 million tonnes.
In 2025, RG Gold delivered record operating results, processing 6.5 million tonnes of ore and producing nearly 6.5 tonnes of gold. Metallurgical recovery at the processing plant exceeded 87%. The company emphasized that these results were achieved while maintaining high safety standards and protecting employee health.
The Raygorodok deposit, first explored in the mid-1990s, remains one of Kazakhstan’s largest gold mining projects. Despite relatively low gold grades, the ore is considered easily recoverable, ensuring economic sustainability. Investments in exploration have significantly expanded reserves, while the launch of a CIP-based processing plant in 2022 boosted production efficiency. The mine’s operating life is currently projected to extend to at least 2040, even with higher processing volumes.
Looking ahead, 2026 is expected to become a key investment year, with construction of the new processing facility forming the core project. RG Gold estimates that the expansion will create more than 1,000 new jobs and deliver broader socio-economic benefits for the region.
Environmental management and workplace safety remain central to the company’s strategy. In 2025, RG Gold completed preparatory work for ISO 14001 certification, invested in environmental training, launched biodiversity research projects and carried out large-scale land restoration, including planting 100,000 pine seedlings. Safety initiatives introduced during the year contributed to a 38% reduction in workplace incidents.
Company executives said that integration into Zijin Mining Group opens new opportunities for staff development, knowledge exchange and the adoption of global best practices. Over the next three to five years, RG Gold’s strategy will focus on efficiency improvements, production growth, resource base development and strengthened ESG performance, positioning the company as a benchmark for sustainable gold mining in Kazakhstan.
