Tag: Kazchrome

  • Kazakhstan’s Kazchrome Earns International Environmental Declaration for High-Carbon Ferrochrome Production

    Kazakhstan’s Kazchrome Earns International Environmental Declaration for High-Carbon Ferrochrome Production

    Kazchrome, the ferrochrome producer owned by Eurasian Resources Group, has obtained an international Environmental Product Declaration for its high-carbon ferrochrome, following an independent lifecycle assessment conducted by global inspection and certification firm SGS.

    The declaration confirms that Kazchrome’s ferrochrome meets rigorous international environmental standards across every stage of its production cycle, from raw material extraction through to end-of-life disposal. The assessment covered a comprehensive range of factors including mining, transportation and preparation of raw materials, water and energy consumption, and the ratio of primary to secondary inputs used in production.

    SGS’s ecology business manager for Kazakhstan and the Caspian subregion, IlyaKorlyakov, said the declaration goes beyond simply measuring a product’s environmental and carbon footprint — it signals a company’s commitment to continuous improvement in production processes in order to reduce its overall environmental burden. In an era of tightening carbon requirements and growing green economy pressures, he said, holding an EPD has become a meaningful competitive advantage in international markets.

    Kazchrome said its use of modern beneficiation, extraction and recycling technologies enables more efficient use of natural resources, reducing dependence on primary raw materials, cutting its carbon footprint and minimising the volume of waste sent to tailings dumps.

    The EPD positions Kazchrome to better meet the procurement and sustainability requirements of international buyers, particularly in Europe, where regulatory pressure on supply chain emissions is intensifying under frameworks such as the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.

  • Kazchrome Launches AI Integration Project at Aksu Ferroalloy Plant

    Kazchrome Launches AI Integration Project at Aksu Ferroalloy Plant

    The Aksu Ferroalloy Plant of JSC TNK Kazchrome, part of ERG, has begun implementing artificial intelligence (AI) tools into its IT-based furnace management system. The pilot initiative is being rolled out on ore-thermal furnace No. 64.

    The first phase of the project has been completed, including the collection, extraction, and analysis of three months of Big Data. Initial findings confirmed the strong potential of using this data to develop a recommendation-based AI model. In the future, the system is expected to help stabilise production processes, boost efficiency and energy savings, and reduce accidents and operating costs.

    “Today, introducing AI into the mining and metallurgical sector is no longer a trend but a matter of competitiveness and industrial safety,” said project manager Ruslan Eskendirov of ERG’s Research and Engineering Centre. “Our approach is pragmatic: sensors → data → models → measurable KPIs.”

    Earlier this year, ERG assembled a project team including specialists from its research and engineering centre, IT subsidiary BTS, Kazchrome, and the group’s metallurgy department. Working with an international technology partner that has already deployed similar AI tools at ferrochrome plants abroad, the team verified that the plant’s existing data is sufficient for building effective AI modules.

    Overall, ten AI modules are planned for deployment, each designed to optimise different aspects of furnace operation. One example is a predictive tool for electrode breakage, which could significantly reduce downtime and financial losses.

    The next phase will involve creating digital modules for controlling and monitoring furnace No. 64, integrating them into the existing automated process management system. The focus will be on predictive diagnostics, intelligent process optimisation, “soft sensors,” and operator guidance. If successful, the solution will be scaled across other furnaces.

  • Kazchrome Implements Advanced Ore Analysis System

    Kazchrome Implements Advanced Ore Analysis System

    Kazchrome, a subsidiary of ERG, has installed a state-of-the-art system for real-time elemental analysis at its Donskoy Mining and Processing Plant. This innovation marks the first of its kind in Kazakhstan’s mining and metallurgical industry, enabling instantaneous quality checks of the extracted ore. Traditionally, determining the elemental composition of raw materials on conveyor belts required taking samples and conducting chemical analysis, a process that took several hours. At Donskoy MPP, this process has been fully automated. Last year, the plant’s Crushing and Processing Plant No. 1 installed a “Sample Tower” system, eliminating the need for manual sampling. This has reduced the need for specialists to carry heavy samples and increased conveyor productivity by removing the need for frequent stops. The newly installed Geoscan-M system further simplifies raw material processing, providing real-time analysis of ore composition and moisture content directly on the conveyor belt. “The system is fully automated and all data is immediately transferred to the enterprise’s information system. Technologists, miners, and other specialists can instantly see the chromium content in the ore and adjust the enrichment processes accordingly. Besides minimizing technological errors, the system also enhances inventory accuracy,” said Project Manager Alexey Ganyushkin. The new analysis system can determine the content of five chemical elements and moisture in the ore (chromium, iron, calcium, silicon, and aluminum) in real-time, with a measurement error of no more than 1%. The analyzer can process up to 1,200 tons of ore per hour at conveyor belt speeds of up to 2 meters per second.

  • Kazchrome Recognized as Central Asia’s Best Social Partner

    Kazchrome Recognized as Central Asia’s Best Social Partner

    Kazchrome, a subsidiary of ERG, has been named the “Best Social Partner” in Central Asia by the Council of Trade Unions of Central Asia (CTSCA). This award reflects Kazchrome’s exemplary efforts in fostering social responsibility, workplace safety, and community development.

    The award was announced during the CTSCA’s VI meeting in Dushanbe, with Kazchrome CEO Sergey Prokopiev receiving the honor. Prokopiev credited the recognition to the company’s dedication to creating favorable employee conditions and supporting regional communities. As a key employer, Kazchrome has been pivotal in advancing socio-economic development in its operational areas.

    In 2024, Kazchrome allocated approximately 9 billion tenge for employee welfare programs, including professional development, corporate culture initiatives, and comprehensive social support. The company also invested significantly in community projects such as public space enhancements, cultural center construction, and procurement of healthcare and educational resources.

    Kazchrome’s ongoing initiatives are part of a broader ERG effort to uphold sustainability and social responsibility principles, ensuring long-term growth and community well-being.

  • Kazchrome to Undertake Remediation Project at Don Mining and Processing Plant

    Kazchrome to Undertake Remediation Project at Don Mining and Processing Plant

    JSC TNK Kazchrome (part of ERG) has announced plans to remediate one of the mines at the Don Mining and Processing Plant. The project focuses on the “40 Years of the Kazakh SSR – Molodezhnoe” deposit. The transnational company has already presented the relevant project.

    From 2019 to 2022, this site, also known as the Molodezhnoe Mine, annually produced approximately 400,000 tons of chrome. The remediation works are scheduled to begin in early 2030 and are expected to be completed by November of the same year. The project includes dismantling and removing mine equipment from the site.

    All structures and engineering infrastructure will be removed, and the mine workings will be securely isolated. Kazchrome will also dispose of chrome ore mining and construction waste. Following these activities, a dedicated team will focus on restoring vegetation.

    The land slated for restoration covers an area of 12.7 hectares and is planned to be converted into agricultural land in the future. The mining allotment spans 2.41 km².

    Underground operations will be conducted daily in three shifts (six hours each), while surface work will proceed around the clock in two shifts of twelve hours each.