MINEX Forum

Tag: Mining industry

  • The National Geological Service (NGS) plans to develop another database of geological data, which will be integrated into the information platform minerals.gov.kz

    The National Geological Service (NGS) plans to develop another database of geological data, which will be integrated into the information platform minerals.gov.kz

    According to the comments made by the head of the national company, Erlan Galiev, during the capital conference “Increasing the Investment Attractiveness of Kazakhstan’s Mining Industry,” organized by the Kazakhstan Mining Chamber and reported by inbusiness.kz, the NGS intends to create a database specifically for primary geological information within the minerals.gov.kz portal.

    The minerals.gov.kz platform, which supports solid mineral exploration, was launched into industrial operation last year with the technical support of the national company “Kazakhstan Garysh Sapary.” The Subsoil Code, which came into effect in 2018, anticipated the creation of a special information system in the form of a National Bank of Mineral Resources, through which market participants could access all geological information and submit online applications for subsoil plots based on the “first come, first served” principle.

    Galiev mentioned that 20% of all primary geological information was digitized last year, and this year, they plan to digitize another 30%. By the end of 2025, they expect to fully digitize and populate the minerals.gov.kz IT platform with primary geological reports from the NGS.

    Regarding the selection of IT solutions, negotiations are currently underway with potential suppliers, whom Galiev preferred not to name, among global vendors with experience in working with national geological data banks for Asian, European, and American countries.

    Galiev emphasized the necessity of a separate database for primary geological information to ensure that it is properly structured, cataloged, and accompanied by metadata for the convenience of investors. He explained that the information digitized last year is currently stored on hard disks because simply dumping it into the system without proper organization would be incorrect. The data must be cartographically referenced, and if it involves geophysical information, it must be visualized.

    Galiev clarified that all primary geological data will be stored as part of the activities of the state technical service in Kazakhstan. After digitization, the reports will be translated into English using optical character recognition and artificial intelligence technologies.

    Currently, the downloaded secondary geological data cannot be accessed as minerals.gov.kz is migrating to another platform with the participation of “Kazakhstan Garysh Sapary.” Once the migration is complete, mechanisms for downloading geological reports will be linked to the platform, and users will be able to access them after connecting the acquiring tool.

    Galiev addressed the issue of increasing fees for providing geological data, stating that the pricing list was approved in 2022 and has not been changed since. He emphasized that efforts are being made to improve data packaging for users and expedite the process, reducing the waiting time for reports from several months to 10 working days, or two days at most if the report has already been scanned. Thus, there are no plans to increase fees for geological data provision.

  • Kazakhmys acquired 15 licenses for solid mineral exploration

    Kazakhmys acquired 15 licenses for solid mineral exploration

    In 2024, Kazakhmys Corporation LLP obtained 15 new licenses for exploration of solid minerals deposits in Kazakhstan. The mineral user aims to expand its own mineral resource base through these new areas, as reported by the company’s press service.

    In its statement, Kazakhmys also refutes the information that it violates contractual obligations regarding subsoil use. The enterprise notes that from 2020 to 2022, it fulfilled investment commitments under 10 contracts in full. Additionally, over the past two years, the company has invested around 45 billion tenge in the development of the Karaganda and Ulytau regions.

    Over the last five years, the corporation has invested over 31 billion tenge in 47 geological exploration projects. Kazakhmys conducts exploration activities in seven regions of the republic. The explored area during this period amounted to 20,000 square kilometers.

    The new areas where the mineral user will begin geological exploration work are likely located near the Sokyrka deposit (Balkhash ore district). The contract for the extraction of copper and polymetallic ores on this deposit was signed by Kazakhmys in 2019.

  • By 2029, Kazakhstan plans to increase mineral resources production by 40%

    By 2029, Kazakhstan plans to increase mineral resources production by 40%

    The metals and other minerals mining industry has been tasked with achieving 40% growth by the end of the decade. The National Development Plan of Kazakhstan, scheduled until 2029, was published on the portal “Open Regulatory Legal Acts” .

    Among the problems that hinder the development of the mining industry, the document notes such as the depletion of the mineral resource base, the high energy intensity of the industry with a probable energy shortage (leading to a decrease in the competitiveness of products), rising labor costs, etc.

    Despite significant mineral deposits, there are few deposits in the republic that are ready for development. The authorities fear that in the next 10–20 years the production of the main export metals: copper, chromium and iron will decrease significantly. In addition, the plan notes that the Republic of Kazakhstan is not realizing its potential for the production of nickel, cobalt, lithium, as well as other rare and rare earth metals.

    First of all, Kazakhstan wants to solve the problem of low geological exploration activity. By 2029, the geological and geophysical exploration of the territory is expected to increase from 1.9 to 2.3 million, and the reserve replenishment rate for critical metals is expected to increase to 20–50%.

    It is proposed to stimulate companies through co-financing, exemption from VAT, depreciation of 25% of expenses for geological exploration work for solid mineral deposits (the practice is valid for hydrocarbon exploration) and other financial support instruments.

    In addition, the country wants to create an infrastructure for storing and processing geomaterials, in particular, to build a storage facility and core storage facilities on the basis of a geological cluster in the capital and other regions of the country.

    The National Development Plan also takes special control over the development of technogenic mineral formations . In order to increase the extraction of useful components from industrial waste, the tax rate for investors may be revised.

  • “To Punish the Guilty Is Not Enough”: AMANAT Deputies Put Forward Demands to the Leadership of AMT”

    “To Punish the Guilty Is Not Enough”: AMANAT Deputies Put Forward Demands to the Leadership of AMT”

    According to Nikita Shatalov, society does not believe that the truly responsible parties will be held accountable. Deputies from the AMANAT faction once again raised the issue of the responsibility of the leaders of ArcelorMittal Temirtau (AMT) for accidents at the company’s facilities that have resulted in the deaths of Kazakhstanis during a plenary session of the Majilis, as reported by Azattyq Rýhy.

    “Over a month ago, an accident occurred at the Kazakhstan mine. During the fire, which is still not extinguished, 5 people died, and 16 others were injured. The enterprise will not be operating for a year. We awaited the results of the government commission’s work, and they were announced last week. The investigation found that the full blame lies with the employer. 28 people who should be subject to criminal prosecution have been identified,” said Deputy Nikita Shatalov, addressing a request to Prime Minister Alihan Smailov and Prosecutor General Berik Asylov.

    He emphasized that this is not the first accident at ArcelorMittal Temirtau’s facilities.

    “The AMANAT faction has repeatedly raised issues of equipment operation violations, safety issues, and inadequate labor protection. Unfortunately, society does not believe that the truly responsible parties will be held accountable. Often, in such incidents, the blame was placed on the performers, while major managers made decisions that led to accidents.

    This time, too, it is obvious that the accident, which resulted in the loss of our compatriots, occurred due to the fault of the enterprise’s leaders. They decided that they could save money by purchasing unsuitable equipment and not complying with all technical requirements for coal mining. For example, it became known that a belt that, according to Kazakhstani legislation, should have been fire-resistant, caught fire. This is a blatant disregard for the fate of our people. If it were not for someone’s greed, Steshin, Khalikov, Burgun, Slyunkov, and Starovoit would still be alive,” the deputy said.

    Nikita Shatalov stated that the deputies of the AMANAT faction were at the scene of the tragedy.

    “We talked to colleagues of the deceased miners, saw the deplorable state of the mines, met with the families. People, unfortunately, cannot be brought back, but society expects justice.

    Firstly, we demand that you do not weaken control. The results of the investigation must lead to fair punishment. Those responsible for the accident, for the deaths of miners, must bear full responsibility for what happened. No one, especially the leaders of the enterprise, including foreigners, should be removed from the orbit of criminal prosecution. Those who made criminal decisions should be punished several times more severely than involuntary performers.

    Secondly, punishing the guilty is not enough. The accident at Kazakhstan mine is far from the first in recent years. And the reason for all of them is the same – the investor squeezed everything out of Soviet technologies, did not modernize, and did not monitor working conditions in the mines. This is the reason for all the deaths of miners, and there have been more than 100 during Mittal’s work in Kazakhstan. We demand that those who have earned hundreds of billions on the lives and health of Kazakhstanis fulfill their investment obligations in full. The Government of Kazakhstan has all the necessary legal levers for this,” the deputy said.

  • Five Successful Mining Enterprises of Tajikistan

    Five Successful Mining Enterprises of Tajikistan

    Over the past 5 years, about 409 million somoni or $ 82.8 million of investments have been attracted to the mining industry: to whom do they go?

    The mining industry of Tajikistan, which in the Soviet years served as a raw material base for the processing industry of other regions, is today focused on meeting the needs of its own economy.

    The share of mining in the total production of the country is 26%.

    Zarafshon

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    Zarafshon LLC is owned by the Government of Tajikistan in conjunction with the “Zijin” Mining Company. Tajikistan has a share of 30%, China – 70%. One of the largest enterprises of the country’s gold mining industry, which has an almost completed technological cycle: mining, processing and metallurgy – refining gold to produce finished gold bars.

    Pakrut

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    The new gold mining company in Tajikistan, Pakrut LLC (Vahdat), which is 100% owned by a Chinese company in China Nonferrous Gold Limited, began the extraction of gold from concentrate in 2016.

    Aprelevka

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    A joint Tajik-Canadian enterprise Aprelevka is located in the north of Tajikistan in the village of Kansai, Sughd region.

    Until 1985, lead-zinc ore was mined here, then the Kairakkum gold mine was organized on the basis of gold deposits, and in 1995, the Aprelevka joint venture was established.

    Adrasman

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    It was created in 1970 on the basis of the Karamazar mine, later, in 1994 it was renamed the Adrasman mining and processing complex.

    The plant specializes in the mining and processing of silver lead ores to produce lead concentrate.

    Anzob

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    Anzob Mining Camp (now a joint Tajik-American limited liability company) is located in the Sughd region on the northern slope of the Gissar Range of Central Tajikistan. It specializes in underground mining and processing of ores with the release of mercury-antimony concentrate.

    The design capacity of the enterprise is 700 thousand tons of ore per year with the production of more than 30 thousand tons of mercury-antimony concentrate. Actual ore mining and processing capacity averages 350 thousand tons per year.

    Подробнее: https://asiaplustj.info/ru/node/271604