Kazakhstan’s gold mining sector is seeking partial liberalisation of refined gold exports, more predictable regulation and a simpler licensing environment for artisanal miners, according to discussions at the Kazakhstan Gold Mining Forum held on 12 June on the sidelines of the Astana Mining and Metallurgy Congress.
The forum brought together parliamentarians, government officials, national companies and international guests to discuss investment conditions, regulatory reform and the accelerated development of gold deposits. Speaking in the margins, Kanat Baitov, executive director of the Republican Association of Precious Metals Producers, outlined the sector’s key priorities.
On gold exports, the industry is proposing that companies be allowed to sell up to 50% of domestically produced refined gold on external markets, while maintaining the existing model under which the National Bank of Kazakhstan acts as the primary buyer for reserve formation. Kazakhstan currently mines approximately 130 tonnes of gold in ore annually and produces around 70 tonnes of refined gold, a significant proportion of which flows to the National Bank. The industry argues that access to international markets would reduce borrowing costs and provide additional foreign currency earnings. The National Bank participated in the forum discussions and work on a balanced solution is continuing. The issue is expected to intensify with the planned launch in 2028 of the Ertis hydrometallurgical plant in Pavlodar Region, which will process refractory Bakyrchik ore and significantly increase refined gold output.
On taxation, the sector noted that mineral extraction tax rates on gold were raised substantially at the start of 2026 under the new Tax Code. Baitov said it was too early to draw firm conclusions but that the government would need to assess the impact as data accumulates and adjust if necessary. Rising electricity tariffs, while a cost burden, are currently being offset by high gold prices.
A separate session addressed Kazakhstan’s artisanal gold mining sector, which was legalised under the 2018 Subsoil Code. Approximately 300 artisanal licences have been issued to date, but Baitov raised a striking concern: since legalisation in 2018, not a single gram of gold has been officially submitted to the state by artisanal miners. “If licences have been issued and work is being done, the question is: where is the gold?” he said. Minimum delivery thresholds at Tau-Ken Altyn have been reduced from kilogram quantities to 200 grams to improve accessibility, and the new Tax Code has simplified the compliance and reporting regime for artisanal miners, who can now operate as individual entrepreneurs. A Union of Artisanal Miners has been established with association support.
The forum also featured a presentation by Kazakhmys on the potential of processing man-made mineral waste — Kazakhstan has accumulated more than 50 billion tonnes of such material, which at current gold prices is becoming economically viable to process. Several cooperation memoranda were signed at the forum, including agreements between Karaganda Technical University and Kazakhmys Corporation, and a digital financing solutions partnership between the Kunayev Mining Institute, Tau-Ken Samruk and SDA-System.
