Global commodity trading and energy group Mercuria has officially opened a regional office in Astana, establishing a permanent platform for its expanding cooperation with Kazakhmys, Kazakhstan’s largest copper producer, with a focus on production modernisation, technology transfer and workforce development.
The opening ceremony was attended by Kazakhmys Supervisory Board Chairman Nurmukhambet Abdibekov, Mercuria co-founder and CEO Marco Dunand, Head of Central Asia and the Caspian Region Timur Suleimenov, and Head of Kazakhstan Aktan Abdykerim.
Abdibekov described the permanent Astana presence as a significant boost to long-term cooperation, noting that Kazakhmys is actively pursuing production modernisation and the introduction of environmentally friendly technologies. “Partnership with Mercuria will allow us to attract advanced global expertise to improve the efficiency of our enterprises and, equally importantly, create new opportunities for the professional development of our employees,” he said.
Dunand said Mercuria’s goal was to invest in technology transfer and human capital development. “Mercuria is ready to share our global experience in order to help the region unlock its industrial potential based on the principles of sustainable development,” he said.
The cooperation spans operational efficiency improvements, advanced technological solutions, production digitalisation and the enhancement of environmental and industrial standards. A particular emphasis has been placed on knowledge transfer programmes through which Kazakhstani specialists and young professionals will receive training in areas currently in short supply domestically, including global risk management, compliance, complex supply chain management and project financing in the industrial sector.
The two companies also plan to expand social investment in the mining regions and single-industry towns where Kazakhmys operates, with joint initiatives targeting the modernisation of local educational infrastructure, technical education for young people and financing of socially significant projects.
