MINEX Forum

Tag: Kazakhstan

  • ERG Expands Academic Mobility Program to Enhance Vocational Training in Kazakhstan

    ERG Expands Academic Mobility Program to Enhance Vocational Training in Kazakhstan

    Under the academic mobility program, students from various regions of Kazakhstan are gaining hands-on experience at partner colleges and industrial facilities. Eurasian Resources Group (ERG) has announced a new phase of collaboration with the Alliance of Colleges, a community of technical and vocational education organizations established with ERG’s support in 2022.

    This month, a group of students from the Kentau Multidisciplinary College in the Turkistan regioncompleted a two-week internship at the Khromtau Mining and Technical College. During the program, they studied 14 production-related topics, including occupational safety, electrical safety, and fire safety. The training incorporated augmented reality technologies, such as simulators for portable drilling machines and dump trucks, providing students with immersive learning experiences. Additionally, the students underwent practical training at the Don Mining and Processing Plant, operated by Kazchrome, a subsidiary of ERG.

    The academic mobility initiative enables ERG to strengthen its collaboration with educational institutions in regions where the company operates. ERG emphasizes that this program is part of a comprehensive workforce development strategy aligned with the national government’s goals. Notably, 2025 has been declared the Year of Working Professions in Kazakhstan, highlighting the importance of vocational training and skilled labor.

  • Kazakhstan to Supply EU with Critical Raw Materials Under New Agreements

    Kazakhstan to Supply EU with Critical Raw Materials Under New Agreements

    Kazakhstan has signed a landmark agreement to supply the European Union (EU) with critical raw materials, essential for modern industries and technologies. The deal was finalized during a visit by European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen to Kazakhstan, as reported by the EU Representation in the country.

    The agreement includes a €3 million contract aimed at fostering cooperation between the EU and Central Asia in the field of critical raw materials. Funding will be provided by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), with a focus on joint projects to establish reliable supply chains for these resources. Critical raw materials, such as rare earth metals, copper, aluminum, uranium, phosphorus, and potassium, are vital for sectors like technology, energy, defense, and transportation.

    Urpilainen emphasized the importance of the partnership, stating, “Europe needs reliable access to critical raw materials to modernize its economy. We are committed to mutually beneficial cooperation with Kazakhstan in their extraction and development. This partnership supports all Central Asian countries, boosts Kazakhstan’s economy, strengthens its industrial potential, and creates new opportunities for businesses, innovation, and high-quality jobs.”

    In addition to the raw materials agreement, the EU and Kazakhstan signed a €200 million loan deal between the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Kazakhstan Development Bank. The EU will provide an €18 million guarantee for the loan, which Kazakhstan plans to allocate toward developing transport infrastructure and renewable energy sources.

    During the visit, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also met with Urpilainen at the Akorda Presidential Palace, underscoring the growing partnership between Kazakhstan and the EU.

  • Condor Energies Secures Lithium Production License in Kazakhstan’s Kolkuduk Field

    Condor Energies Secures Lithium Production License in Kazakhstan’s Kolkuduk Field

    Condor Energies Inc., a Calgary-based energy company, has secured a license to produce solid minerals at the Kolkuduk field in Kazakhstan, spanning 6,800 hectares. The company believes the field holds significant lithium reserves, bolstering its position in the global critical minerals market.

    The Kolkuduk field is adjacent to the Sayakbay field, a 37,300-hectare site already managed by Condor. Both fields are located in a geologically active region characterized by faults that facilitate the accumulation of mineralized brines in underground reservoirs. Initial geological exploration at Kolkuduk has revealed approximately 130 milligrams of lithium per liter of brine water, with historical data indicating the presence of other valuable minerals such as rubidium, strontium, and cesium in brine reservoirs up to 1,000 meters deep.

    Don Streu, Condor’s President and CEO, emphasized the strategic importance of the project, stating, «Condor’s focus on developing critical minerals in Kazakhstan aligns with the global push to create diverse, secure, and sustainable supply chains.» Kazakhstan’s geographic location, situated between Europe and China—two of the largest consumers of critical minerals—further enhances the project’s potential.

    In addition to its mineral exploration, Condor announced in January 2024 that it had secured natural gas quotas to produce 350 tons of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) daily starting in 2025. This volume could power 125 railway engines or 215 dump trucks with a capacity of 150 tons each, showcasing the company’s diversified energy portfolio.

  • Kazakhstan’s Mining Sector Boosts Local Industry with 70 Contracts Worth 39.6 Billion Tenge

    Kazakhstan’s Mining Sector Boosts Local Industry with 70 Contracts Worth 39.6 Billion Tenge

    From 2020 to 2024, mining companies in Kazakhstan have signed 70 contracts worth a total of 39.6 billion tenge to purchase products from domestic manufacturers, according to the country’s Ministry of Industry and Construction. This initiative is part of a broader effort to strengthen ties between the mining sector and local industries, including machine-building, metallurgical, metalworking, and chemical enterprises.

    Over the past five years, the ministry has facilitated the signing of 353 long-term agreements valued at 226.1 billion tenge between mining companies and local suppliers. These contracts cover a wide range of products, such as pumping equipment, valves, transformers, conveyor systems, automation tools, metal structures, wheels, rubber-metal linings, lime, reagents, and spare parts.

    Additionally, light industry enterprises have been supplying specialized clothing, footwear, and personal protective equipment (PPE) to mining operations. The majority of these offtake contractsare concentrated in the East Kazakhstan, Karaganda, Pavlodar, and Aktobe regions. The East Kazakhstan region leads in the number of agreements, largely due to the presence of two major mining companies, KAZ Minerals and Kazzinc.

  • Kazakhstan Showcases Its Geological Potential at PDAC 2025 in Toronto

    Kazakhstan Showcases Its Geological Potential at PDAC 2025 in Toronto

    The Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) 2025, the largest international mining convention, has officially opened in Toronto. The event brings together key industry leaders, investors, and government representatives from around the world.

    As part of the exhibition, Kazakhstan inaugurated its national pavilion, highlighting the country’s geological potential. The opening ceremony was attended by Deputy Minister of Industry and Construction Iran Sharkan, AIFC Governor Renat Bekturov, Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Canada Dauletbek Kusainov, and PDAC Vice President Karen Rees.

    One of the key events on the first day was the international forum “Meet Kazakhstan: The Power of Geology in the Ninth Largest Nation.” Speaking at the session, Deputy Minister Iran Sharkan emphasized Kazakhstan’s rich geological heritage and mineral resources, including lithium, niobium, and tantalum.

    “Kazakhstan has a strong history in geological exploration and mining. We are committed to creating favorable conditions for investment and cooperation with both local and international partners. We actively adopt new exploration and mining technologies, while also prioritizing environmental sustainability in resource extraction and processing,” he stated.

    The panel featured leading global experts in the mining and metallurgy sector, including Canada’s Deputy Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources Rinaldo Genti, Cove Capital founding partner Pini Althaus, Neo Performance Materials VP of Corporate Development Vasileios Tsianos, Hatch Minerals Managing Director Konrad Blake, and European Commission Deputy Head of Mission Madalina Ivanica.

    PDAC 2025 will run until March 5, with the Kazakh delegation actively engaging in meetings with partners and representatives from major mining companies.

  • Kazakhstan to Launch Five New Non-Ferrous Metallurgy Projects

    Kazakhstan to Launch Five New Non-Ferrous Metallurgy Projects

    Kazakhstan is set to commission five new projects in the non-ferrous metallurgy sector this year, with a total investment of 42.5 billion tenge. The initiative is expected to create approximately 1,300 permanent jobs, according to the QazIndustry project monitoring and analysis directorate.

    Among the new ventures are the production of gold dore alloy, cathode copper, and aluminum profiles. Once operating at full capacity, these projects are projected to generate 35.5 billion tenge in annual output, including 4.5 billion tenge worth of exports and 31 billion tenge in import substitution.

    Last year, the sector saw the launch of 10 projects worth 139.4 billion tenge, creating over 1,500 jobs. These included the production of gold dore alloy, refined copper sheets, aluminum rod, refined lead, and copper and aluminum ingots. The total production capacity of the newly launched projects is estimated at 117.2 billion tenge, with 71.7 billion tenge allocated for exports and 45.5 billion tenge for the domestic market.

    Currently, 36 projects worth approximately 2.2 trillion tenge are under development in the non-ferrous metallurgy sector. These projects are expected to generate over 9,800 permanent jobs, with around 7,600 in rural areas and 2,200 in urban centers. Once fully operational, they will contribute an estimated 2.1 trillion tenge in production output, including 1.2 trillion tenge in exports and 900 billion tenge in import substitution.

    The Karaganda region leads in the number of ongoing and planned projects in this sector. Non-ferrous metallurgy remains one of Kazakhstan’s key industrial sectors, driven by the country’s rich reserves of copper, zinc, nickel, lead, aluminum, gold, silver, and other valuable metals.

  • Kazatomprom and JUMCO Forge Uranium Mining Partnership in Jordan

    Kazatomprom and JUMCO Forge Uranium Mining Partnership in Jordan

    During an official visit by Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Jordan, Kazakhstan’s national atomic company, Kazatomprom, and Jordan Uranium Mining Company (JUMCO) signed a memorandum of understanding to explore joint uranium mining projects. The agreement aims to assess the feasibility of uranium extraction in Jordan and strengthen Kazakhstan’s role in the global uranium industry.

    Kazatomprom CEO Meirzhan Yussupov emphasized that the partnership with JUMCO opens new opportunities for international cooperation and enhances Kazakhstan’s strategic expansion efforts. He noted that potential projects outside Kazakhstan would allow for knowledge exchange and contribute to sustainable development.

    The memorandum outlines plans to evaluate uranium deposits in Jordan, focusing on refining geological characteristics and implementing heap leaching mining technology. Environmental sustainability and economic viability will be key factors in determining the project’s future.

    JUMCO’s General Manager Mohammad Al-Shannag highlighted that the agreement will accelerate Jordan’s commercial uranium production, enabling technology sharing and market insights from Kazatomprom, the world’s leading uranium producer.

    Beyond mining, the partnership is expected to boost Jordan’s nuclear industry, create jobs, enhance infrastructure, and engage local contractors. For Kazakhstan, entry into a new market represents a strategic move to solidify its global influence and strengthen bilateral economic ties with Jordan.

    Both companies have committed to long-term cooperation based on safety, efficiency, and environmental responsibility. They plan to exchange expertise, adopt new technologies, and improve industry standards, laying the foundation for a sustainable uranium sector in both nations.

    Meanwhile, on December 6, 2024, international rating agency S&P Global assigned Kazatomprom a Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) score of 48/100, with an overall ESG rating of 50/100, reflecting the company’s environmental, social, and governance performance.

  • Kazakhstan’s Solidcore Resources Invests in Renewable Energy with Bank Loan

    Kazakhstan’s Solidcore Resources Invests in Renewable Energy with Bank Loan

    Solidcore Resources plc, a gold mining company, has announced a significant investment in renewable energy projects. The company has secured a seven-year loan from Kazakhstan’s CentreCredit Bank to fund several renewable energy initiatives.

    The funds will be used to launch renewable energy projects at the Bakyrchik and Varvarinskoye deposits. At Bakyrchik, a 17 MW solar power plant will be constructed, while at Varvarinskoye, a 23 MW solar plant will be built alongside a 40 MW gas piston unit to ensure energy supply during periods of low sunlight.

    Approval for infrastructure related to the Kyzyl project is expected to take place this year, with alternative energy generation expected to begin in 2026.

    This deal marks the first debt financing transaction after Polymetal International plc was rebranded and its key development strategy was updated. Going forward, Solidcore plans to collaborate with CentreCredit Bank and other local banks.

    The mining company estimates that atmospheric emissions will be reduced by 27% compared to 2023 levels. The renewable energy projects are expected to reduce dependence on external energy sources, particularly coal-fired power plants, and mitigate the impact of rising energy costs.

  • Kazakhstan’s Industry Minister Discusses Subsoil Use Reforms with Mining Chamber

    Kazakhstan’s Industry Minister Discusses Subsoil Use Reforms with Mining Chamber

    Kanat Sharlapaev, the Minister of Industry and Construction of Kazakhstan, held a quarterly meeting with members of the Kazakhstan Mining Chamber Association. The association unites 45 companies, both domestic and foreign investors.

    The Minister emphasized that junior and large international companies entered Kazakhstan after reforms in the subsoil use sector and are making significant contributions to the geological study of the country’s territory.

    He also underscored the importance of private investments and the introduction of advanced technologies in geological exploration.

    During an open dialogue, Kanat Sharlapaev and Chamber members discussed the further development of international reporting standards, taxation issues, and challenges affecting the investment climate.

    The Minister stressed the need to continue the reform process in the subsoil use sector and called for more active cooperation with the Association to develop Kazakhstan’s geological sector.

  • Kazakhstan Summarizes 2024 Results in Geology and Subsoil Use

    Kazakhstan Summarizes 2024 Results in Geology and Subsoil Use

    The Ministry of Industry and Construction of Kazakhstan has released its report on the results for 2024 in the fields of geology and subsoil use. A key objective for the Ministry is to increase the geological exploration of Kazakhstan’s territory to replenish the country’s mineral resource base, thus supporting the active development of all industrial sectors.

    Kazakhstan’s mineral resource base includes over 9,500 deposits, including 987 deposits of solid minerals, 355 hydrocarbon deposits, more than 3,500 deposits of common minerals, and over 4,500 groundwater deposits.

    In the past year, 23 new deposits were registered by subsoil users, and the exploration results showed an increase in reserves: 20 tons of gold, 48,000 tons of copper, 464,000 tons of chrome, and about 290,000 tons of lead and zinc.

    The average reserve fulfillment coefficient for gold, uranium, iron, and manganese has shown a 2% increase over the last decade.

    Efforts to attract investments into subsoil use are also ongoing, with the state geological exploration program identifying 38 promising areas for solid minerals, including rare earth metals (2.6 million tons), beryllium (23,800 tons), brown coal (1.1 billion tons), gold (19 tons), zirconium (2 million tons), niobium (500,000 tons), and tungsten (400,000 tons).

    Additionally, the Kuyretykol deposit has been discovered, with reserves of around 800,000 tons of rare earth metals, including cerium and lanthanoids.

    The opening of areas available for geological exploration has led to a significant rise in private investments for the exploration of solid minerals. In 2023, private investment increased 2.5 times compared to 2018, reaching 82 billion tenge.

    In 2024, 606 exploration licenses were issued, showing growth from previous years. For mining, 33 licenses were issued.

    Private investment in geological exploration is on the rise, as businesses show increased interest in searching for promising subsoil areas. In 2024, two electronic auctions took place, with major foreign companies such as Rio Tinto, Fortescue, Kratos Resources, and others competing with local companies like Kazakhmys and ERG Exploration for exploration rights.

    Foreign companies are already operating in Kazakhstan, investing in exploration with at least 41 billion tenge and social obligations totaling 7.8 billion tenge, covering an area of 25,000 km². The expected results from the exploration of these deposits are expected between 2026 and 2028.

    Growth in private investment in geological exploration is directly linked to the level of funding and effectiveness of early-stage geological studies that identify promising exploration areas. State geological exploration funding amounts to approximately 8 USD per square kilometer.

    From 2018 to 2023, the allocation for geological exploration amounted to 51.2 billion tenge, while investments in subsoil use exploration reached 357 billion tenge.

    In January 2025, an electronic auction for 21 plots took place, attracting over 50 companies. The total signing bonus amounted to 20 billion tenge, with investments of 40 million USD attracted.

    Stable funding for state geological exploration positively impacts private investments and stimulates further exploration. This is essential for expanding the country’s mineral resource base.

    On January 1, 2025, the Unified Subsoil Use Platform (minerals.e-qazyna.kz) was launched, providing open access to all geological data. The platform has digitized 22 government services, processing 506 applications since its launch. It contains a register of geological reports, including over 60,000 reports for free online access, and provides detailed information about licenses, contracts, occupied and free territories, and previous geological and geophysical studies.

    For specific geological materials, subsoil users can apply through the National Geological Service’s website, and requests are processed within five business days.