Kazakhmys Group has approved a new strategic plan aimed at maintaining current production levels while significantly expanding its mineral resource base, the company announced.
The group’s total ore reserves currently stand at 551.8 million tonnes, providing an estimated 16 years of operational stability across its assets. Over the next three years, Kazakhmys plans to increase ore reserves by a further 365 million tonnes, with copper reserves expected to grow by 2328 thousand tonnes.
Exploration activities are ongoing across the Zhezkazgan, Karaganda and Balkhash regions, as well as in prospective areas located within 100–200 km of existing mining operations. This approach is designed to maximise the use of existing infrastructure while reducing capital expenditure and project risks.
For the current year, the company plans to mine 31.7 million tonnes of ore, process 33.1 million tonnes, and produce 254.6 thousand tonnes of copper concentrate. Alongside production targets, Kazakhmys continues to invest in the modernisation and expansion of its mining operations.
In the Zhezkazgan region, the company is expanding the Zhylandy and Zhomart mines, while maintaining stable output at the Zhezkazgan deposit through infrastructure adjustments and additional exploration work.
Kazakhmys is also assessing the potential restart of operations at the Kusmurun mine, which could secure feedstock for the Karagaily processing plant for the next decade. At the same time, development continues at the Nurkazgan mine, and deeper horizons are being opened within the Shatyrkul-Zhaysan cluster.
In the Balkhash region, plans are underway to resume operations at the Konyrat mine. Meanwhile, geological exploration at the Sayak deposit over the past four years has confirmed reserves of 10 million tonnes of ore, extending the mine’s projected life by 11 years through to 2042.
The strategy reflects Kazakhmys’ focus on long-term resource sustainability and operational efficiency amid evolving market conditions.
