An international mining forum bringing together representatives from 30 countries has opened in Kazakhstan’s capital Astana, with the Kazakhstani government signalling its ambitions to improve the efficiency of mineral resource development, increase processing capacity and attract greater foreign investment.
The gathering has placed particular emphasis on the presentation of advanced technologies and the establishment of long-term investment partnerships. Experts attending the forum said that ongoing improvements to the country’s digitalisation agenda and licensing system would strengthen Kazakhstan’s appeal to international investors, marking the beginning of a new phase of industrial growth oriented toward sustainable development.
Tulegyen Mukanov, adviser to the executive director of the Republican Association of Mining and Metallurgical Enterprises, highlighted the breadth of technology on display. “Look at how many companies are exhibiting at this congress — showcasing their technologies,” he said. “We don’t manufacture mining equipment ourselves. All our machinery comes from abroad — Sweden, Japan, America, China. But I’ve noticed some new companies starting up. In Karaganda, they have begun producing spare parts for heavy mining equipment — a kind of renovation sector is emerging.”
The forum comes as Kazakhstan continues to position itself as a priority destination for critical minerals investment, backed by recent subsoil use reforms, the launch of a unified licensing portal and a tenfold increase in state geological exploration funding announced earlier this year.
