MINEX Forum

Tag: Chinese investment

  • Chinese Investor Injects $5 Million into Kazakhstan’s Mining Exploration Sector

    Chinese Investor Injects $5 Million into Kazakhstan’s Mining Exploration Sector

    A new mining exploration company, Zhongjian Hengxin Mining, has been registered at the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) with a significant capital investment of $5 million from Chinese investors. The company, established by Jian Zheng, aims to engage in geological exploration and related services to facilitate mineral extraction. This investment marks a notable entry into Kazakhstan’s mining sector, which has been increasingly attracting foreign capital, particularly from China.

    The registration of Zhongjian Hengxin Mining on June 22, 2026, aligns with a growing trend of Chinese companies establishing a presence in Kazakhstan’s mining industry. Notably, the address of the new company has already been home to several other Chinese firms involved in similar activities, including Tianshan Resources, which was registered in June and is also focused on mining services. This trend underscores the strategic interest of Chinese corporations in Kazakhstan’s rich mineral resources, particularly in light of Zijin Mining Group’s recent acquisition of RG Gold, a gold mining company operating in the Akmolinsk region.

    The influx of Chinese investment, exemplified by Zijin Mining Group’s commitment of $600 million towards the development of the Raigorodok gold deposit, highlights the potential for growth in Kazakhstan’s mining sector. As more companies like Zhongjian Hengxin Mining emerge, the collaboration between Kazakhstan and Chinese investors is expected to strengthen, paving the way for enhanced exploration and extraction activities in the region, which is rich in various minerals.

  • Chinese investor plans ferrochrome processing project in Kazakhstan’s Aktobe region

    Chinese investor plans ferrochrome processing project in Kazakhstan’s Aktobe region

    Chinese ferrochrome producer Suzhou Hunan New Materials is planning to implement an investment project in Kazakhstan’s Aktobe region focused on the deep processing of chromite ores.

    The initiative was discussed during an official visit to Shanghai by Abzal Abdikarimov, deputy akim of the Aktobe region, who held talks with the company’s management. Following the meeting, the parties signed a memorandum of cooperation aimed at establishing advanced chromite processing facilities in the region.

    The project is designed to be implemented in two stages. The first phase предусматривает construction of a chromite concentrate processing plant with an investment volume of $150 million. At the second stage, the project will expand to include processing of metallic chromium, increasing the depth of value addition.

    Representatives of Suzhou Hunan New Materials said during the talks that the company is ready to move forward with the practical implementation of the project and to continue cooperation with Kazakhstan’s national and regional authorities.

    The Aktobe region hosts the South Kempirsai chromite deposits, an area that ranks second globally in terms of confirmed chromium reserves. Most of the chromite ore mined in the region is currently processed by the Aktobe and Aksu ferroalloy plants operated by Kazchrome.

  • New Metallurgical Plant to be Launched in Shymkent in Five Years

    New Metallurgical Plant to be Launched in Shymkent in Five Years

    In five years, another metallurgical plant will be launched in Kazakhstan, specifically in Shymkent. The modern facility, with a capacity of 5 million tons, will be implemented by the Chinese company Fujian Hengwang Investment Co., Ltd. The relevant documents have already been signed by the city’s administration, reports the kapital.kz portal.

    It is known that during the construction period, Chinese partners will invest about 1.75 billion US dollars into the metropolis’s industry. Additionally, around 1,000 new jobs will be created in the region. According to the approved plan, the construction of the plant will be carried out in three stages.

    It is worth noting that the investor is part of Jiangsu Coastal Steel Group Co., Ltd, one of the largest corporations with significant experience in the production and sale of steel. Representatives of the foreign company mentioned that the city currently provides a favorable environment for investments. If the plant is successfully built and launched, the Chinese side will propose a number of new investment projects to Shymkent’s administration.

    City authorities, in turn, have promised to provide the necessary support for the project.

  • Chinese Company Expresses Interest in Montenegro’s Berane Coal Mine

    Chinese Company Expresses Interest in Montenegro’s Berane Coal Mine

    An unnamed Chinese company has shown interest in purchasing the coal mine in Berane, a northeastern town in Montenegro, which has been inactive for several years, according to local media reports. Representatives from the Chinese firm have already visited Berane for discussions regarding the potential acquisition, though the current status of the negotiations remains unclear, as per broadcaster RTCG.

    Nikola Scekic, head of the mining company, stated, “It is about a serious company that has expressed interest in our mine. We hope that the further talks will result in a good decision.” The Berane coal mine, owned by Serbia-registered company Metalfer, halted production in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the mine has been without electricity since November 2022 due to a power substation failure.

    In January, Montenegro’s energy ministry announced its goal to restart production at the mine, promising to conduct an economic analysis to determine the best approach. Restarting operations will require new investments and strategic partnerships, with the government needing to evaluate both existing and potential production capacities, energy minister Sasa Mujovic stated.

    At its peak, the Berane coal mine employed 150 workers and supported a supply chain of 20 smaller firms, as noted by RTCG.