Kazakhstan’s gold mining company Altynalmas plans to develop the Karierny deposit in the Karaganda region over the next 19 years, according to an updated mine closure plan submitted for public review.
Under the revised mining plan, operations at the Karierny site are scheduled to run from 2026 to 2044. The project is designed to process an average of about 3 million tonnes of gold-bearing ore per year. The deposit covers an area of approximately 4.3 square kilometres and will be mined to a depth of around 200 metres.
The Karierny site is located in the Aktogay district of the Karaganda region, roughly 100 kilometres east of the city of Balkhash. Infrastructure near the project includes the Balkhash–Aktogay railway line, a 110 kV power transmission line and the Tokrau–Sayak water pipeline. Nearby deposits operated by Altynalmas include the Dolinnoye and Pustynnoye gold fields.
According to the company’s documentation, all approved reserves at the Karierny deposit will be mined during the project’s lifetime. The mine is expected to produce approximately 43.7 million tonnes of ore with an average gold grade of about 0.9 grams per tonne.
Based on these figures, the total gold output from the project is estimated at roughly 39.3 tonnes over the life of the mine. At current market prices, this volume would be valued at around $6.4 billion.
Altynalmas originally received the licence to develop the Karierny deposit in 2011, with the initial contract set to expire in 2026. The revised closure plan likely reflects a renewal or extension of subsoil use rights.
The project also outlines environmental and post-mining land management measures. Since backfilling the open pit with waste rock is considered economically unfeasible, the site will be fenced to prevent accidents, reduce dust dispersion and stop animals or waste from entering the pit.
After mine closure, the area could potentially be converted into a recreational water reservoir. Land disturbed during operations will also be rehabilitated to support pasture use, with soil preparation and seeding of perennial grasses planned to restore grazing land for livestock.
Closure activities are scheduled to begin in 2045, in accordance with Kazakhstan’s legislation requiring reclamation work to start within eight months after the expiration of a mining licence. The company estimates the cost of these activities at approximately $1.8 million.
Altynalmas currently operates nine gold deposits across Kazakhstan and remains one of the country’s largest gold producers.
