Qazaq Kalium, controlled by businessman Nurlan Artykbayev, is preparing to begin construction of a major potash mining and processing complex in western Kazakhstan, marking a significant step in the development of the country’s fertiliser industry.
According to a statement of planned activities, the first phase of the mining and processing plant (GOK) will be built at the Satimola deposit in the Akzhayik district of West Kazakhstan region. Construction is expected to begin in April 2026 and last approximately 32 months, with commissioning scheduled for the first quarter of 2029.
The Satimola deposit, located near the Ural River, holds potassium and boron-bearing salts and was originally discovered in the 1960s. The licence for its development was issued in 2023 for a period of 25 years. Mining operations are currently planned to continue until December 2050, after which a decision will be made on further development or site closure.
The проект is designed with an annual processing capacity of 8.5 million tonnes of ore and output of up to 2 million tonnes of potassium chloride, including both granular and fine products. In the longer term, Qazaq Kalium aims to establish a larger комплекс capable of processing up to 25 million tonnes of potash ore annually, alongside 1 million tonnes of boron ore, producing fertilisers such as potassium chloride and boric acid.
The total investment in the project has previously been estimated at approximately $2.4 billion. Infrastructure development will include the construction of railway access, power lines, water supply systems and a gas pipeline, with natural gas expected to be used in processing operations.
Despite Kazakhstan’s agricultural sector having relatively low fertiliser usage domestically, the project is expected to target export markets, particularly China, where demand for potash remains strong.
The development of Satimola has been under consideration since the 2010s, attracting interest from both domestic and international investors. The project has also been the subject of corporate disputes in the past before coming under the control of Artykbayev.
Environmental and social concerns have been raised locally, particularly regarding the potential use of water from the Ural River and proposed extraction methods. However, according to the project documentation, no significant environmental constraints or cultural heritage sites have been identified within the project area.
Exploration and preparatory works are already underway. As of late 2025, drilling and earthworks had progressed significantly, including the completion of a 490-metre control shaft and ongoing development of key шахтные structures.
The Satimola project is expected to position Kazakhstan as a notable player in the global potash market, diversifying its mining sector beyond metals into fertiliser production.
