The Gornostayevskoye nickel-cobalt deposit in the East Kazakhstan region is projected to begin operations within the next two years. According to Kaznickel LLP, public hearings on the project are scheduled for 23 January. The initial phase will focus on developing the Levoberezhny section using the innovative in-situ leaching (ISL) method.
The ISL method, which extracts metals directly from underground deposits without raising ore to the surface, has been tested at the site since 2018. While commonly used for uranium extraction, its application for nickel mining is relatively rare. The Levoberezhny section contains an estimated 138.51 million tons of ore, including 793,600 tons of nickel (average content 0.57%) and 54,270 tons of cobalt (average content 0.039%).
The Gornostayevskoye project has a maximum production capacity of 20,000 tons of nickel annually and is expected to be developed over 18 years. The project will involve the drilling of approximately 33,000 technological wells from 2026 to 2046. To support the leaching process, a sulfuric acid storage facility will be constructed directly at the site.
This strategic initiative highlights Kazakhstan’s commitment to advancing sustainable mining technologies while leveraging its vast reserves of critical raw materials, such as nickel and cobalt, essential for the global transition to clean energy.
