MINEX Forum

Tag: gold extraction

  • Kazakhstan Tightens Oversight of Gold Mining Sector as Six Extraction Permits Are Revoked in 2025

    Kazakhstan Tightens Oversight of Gold Mining Sector as Six Extraction Permits Are Revoked in 2025

    Kazakhstan has revoked six gold mining permits so far in 2025 across the Aktobe, Turkistan, East Kazakhstan, and Abai regions, according to the Ministry of Industry and Construction. Although significant, the figure is lower than in 2024, when the government annulled twice as many contracts for gold-bearing ore extraction. Authorities say the revocations stem from violations of legal requirements and breaches of land-use and lease conditions.

    Members of Parliament argue that punitive measures must be strengthened further. Lawmakers are calling for tougher criminal penalties for illegal mining and the creation of a “blacklist” of irresponsible subsoil users who would face obstacles when seeking new contracts. Deputies believe such steps would reduce environmental risks and increase accountability for land rehabilitation at mining sites, LSM.kz reports.

    Earlier, the Mazhilis introduced amendments to the existing Subsoil Code. The draft legislation would require auction winners to pay their signing bonuses before receiving a subsoil licence. Those who fail to make the payment would be banned from using subsoil resources for five years and prohibited from acquiring related rights through third parties.

    These reforms reflect Kazakhstan’s broader effort to enforce stricter compliance, improve environmental protections, and ensure responsible resource development across the mining sector.

  • Kazakhstan Revives Mining at Key Deposits in 2024

    Kazakhstan Revives Mining at Key Deposits in 2024

    In 2024, several mining companies in Kazakhstan resumed operations at significant deposits, submitting project plans through the Unified Environmental Portal.

    OralElectroService has returned to the Uzynzhal deposit in the Karaganda region, targeting 500,000 tons of zinc-lead ore annually. The project will use open-pit mining until 2033 before transitioning to underground methods, with total reserves of 12.5 million tons.

    In East Kazakhstan, Taskara will mine gold and silver at the Taskora deposit. The three-year project focuses on processing 31,000 tons of ore annually.

    In the Zhambyl region, Ushalyk Gold Operating plans to extract 727,000 tons of ore at the Ushalyk deposit over four years, processing up to 250,000 tons annually to produce flotation concentrate.

    These initiatives highlight the mining sector’s sustained importance in Kazakhstan’s economy.

  • Tascara Resumes Precious Metal Mining in East Kazakhstan

    Tascara Resumes Precious Metal Mining in East Kazakhstan

    The mining company Tascara LLP has announced plans to resume precious metal extraction at the Tascara deposit in East Kazakhstan, a site that has remained dormant for several years. Initially developed during the Soviet era, the deposit is now the focus of a new project submitted to Kazakhstan’s Unified Environmental Portal for regulatory review.

    The original development plan, crafted by the GINalmazzoloto Institute in 1990, involved mining through sublevel drifts and ore extraction via upward drilling fans. The current plan continues with underground mining methods, reflecting the limited remaining reserves at the site. Mining operations are projected to run from 2027 to 2029, preceded by two years of preparatory works.

    To date, Zone I of the deposit has been mined to a depth of 190 meters, while Zone III reaches 84 meters. Remaining reserves include 93,863 tons of ore, with an average gold content of 6.2 g/t and silver content of 3.9 g/t. The company plans to extract over 31,000 tons of ore annually.

    Additionally, Tascara intends to submit a separate proposal for constructing a gold extraction plant to process the mined material, marking a significant step toward expanding its operations in the region.

  • RG Gold Announces Reduction in Gold Extraction Volumes at the Raigorodok Deposit

    RG Gold Announces Reduction in Gold Extraction Volumes at the Raigorodok Deposit

    RG Gold company has announced a reduction in the extraction volumes of the yellow metal at the Raigorodok deposit in Akmola region. The decrease in extraction rates may occur as early as this year due to the depletion of oxide ore reserves, as reported by inbusiness.kz.

    Currently, the gold miner can process 7 million tons of raw material, with the majority (5 million tons) undergoing cyanidation followed by sorption on coal. The second technology – heap leaching of oxidized gold ore – is designed for 2 million tons.

    According to Marat Shaimardanov, the financial director of RG Gold, there is a high probability that the second processing method will need to be suspended, as the reserves of Raigorodok’s oxide ore are nearly depleted.

    It is known that in 2023, the EBITDA indicator was approximately $200 million with production of 190 thousand ounces. With the freezing of certain processing capacities, this figure is likely to decrease.

    However, the gold miner hopes that geologists will discover additional reserves in nearby areas. In that case, the company will be able to resume the heap leaching technology.

  • German Company Considers Producing Sodium Cyanide in Egypt for Gold Mining

    German Company Considers Producing Sodium Cyanide in Egypt for Gold Mining

    The Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum announced that Germany’s CyPlus is interested in establishing a new production plant for Sodium Cyanide in Egypt that is used as part of the gold mining and extraction process.

    CyPlus is a leading company with advanced technology services and innovative solutions. It ensures safe use of cyanide production, transportation, and disposal.

    The company utilizes new innovative technologies to develop gold extraction and mining procedures.

    The working group will decide on the necessary procedures and find a suitable location in the Eastern Desert for the new production plant and will also work on researching the required technologies and local market needs.

    Sodium cyanide is a colorless sodium salt. It is prepared from sodium amide by heating it with carbon at 800 degrees. It is used in the treatment and extraction of gold.

    A press statement released by the Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum and obtained by Asharq Al-Awsat, said the German company has a “desire to establish a plant for the production of sodium cyanide.”

    Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Tarek El-Molla met with Chairman of CyPlus Stefan Welbers on Wednesday to discuss the investment opportunities available to the company in Egypt.

    During the meeting, Molla stressed the need to localize industries for products complementary to the mining activity, citing the remarkable development in gold mining, the successful gold bid, and the entry of several international companies into the promising field.

    He indicated that the authorities are studying the feasibility of establishing such factories. He added that the ministry is working on a strategic plan to enhance mining activity and establish more factories to boost it, especially those importing products in foreign currency.

    The minister highlighted the importance of developing the industry sustainably and implementing green mining requirements. He stressed the need for increasing mining capabilities while working towards reducing environmentally harmful emissions.

    For his part, Welbers confirmed that the company provides safe and responsible uses of cyanide, starting from production, through transportation and circulation processes, to application and exchange.

    He indicated that CyPlus dedicates its capabilities to providing new solutions that boost productivity and innovatively develop the gold mining process.

    He praised the remarkable developments in the mining field in Egypt, saying it holds promising opportunities for investment.