MINEX Forum

Website: Eurasia.com

  • Critical Elements Lithium Expands Rose West Discovery in Québec

    Critical Elements Lithium Expands Rose West Discovery in Québec

    Critical Elements Lithium (TSX-V:CRE) has announced significant advancements in its phase two summer drilling program at the Rose West Discovery, located in Eeyou Istchee, Québec, Canada. The latest drilling results indicate a substantial increase in the mineralised footprint, now measuring 1,250 metres by 800 metres. This expansion is part of a systematic drilling initiative that aims to cover a total of 10,000 metres around the wholly owned discovery site.

    The company has successfully completed 18 drill holes, amounting to approximately 3,000 metres, with promising assay results emerging from the recent explorations. Notably, hole RW-26-36 revealed an impressive 2.05% lithium oxide (Li2O) and 221 parts per million (ppm) tantalum pentoxide (Ta2O5) over a 7.70-metre interval through Pegmatite 5. Additionally, the same hole also intersected 1.46% Li2O and 176 ppm Ta2O5 over 23.35 metres through Pegmatite 3, which included a peak of 2.12% Li2O and 147 ppm Ta2O5 over a 6-metre section.

    Further drilling results from hole RW-26-37 showed 1.32% Li2O and 157 ppm Ta2O5 over 13.25 metres through Pegmatite 5, alongside 0.94% Li2O and 258 ppm Ta2O5 over 22.40 metres through Pegmatite 3. The phase two drilling program has successfully expanded the mineralised footprint by an additional 300 metres by 300 metres, enhancing the thickness of Pegmatites 5, 3, and 2, which now range from 10 to 30 metres.

    Critical Elements has received assay results for 11 previously drilled holes, with an additional seven holes currently being prepared for assaying. The Rose West Discovery is situated approximately 10 kilometres west of the Rose Lithium-Tantalum Project, which was initially intercepted in winter 2024 over a footprint of 450 metres by 370 metres. As a Canadian critical minerals explorer, Critical Elements Lithium is advancing a diverse portfolio of properties across the Nemaska Belt, including its flagship Rose Lithium-Tantalum Project and the newly expanded Rose West discovery.

  • Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan Near Completion of Exploration on Ustyurt Plateau, Drilling Set for 2027

    Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan Near Completion of Exploration on Ustyurt Plateau, Drilling Set for 2027

    Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan are advancing towards the practical phase of developing hydrocarbon resources on the Ustyurt Plateau, with drilling operations scheduled to commence in 2027. During a state visit to Tashkent, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev announced that the project is in the final stages of exploration. The oil and gas project is jointly owned by Uzbekistan’s Uzbekneftegaz and Azerbaijan’s SOCAR, each holding a 30% stake, while British company BP controls the remaining 40%.

    The collaboration between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan began with a cooperation agreement in August 2024, which initiated geological exploration activities. In July 2025, the parties signed a production-sharing agreement that included a 3D seismic survey covering at least 1,000 square kilometres and the drilling of one exploratory well. BP officially joined the project in May 2026, taking on the role of operator.

    The commencement of industrial production on the Ustyurt Plateau is expected to be a lifeline for Uzbekistan, which is experiencing a decline in domestic natural gas production due to depleting reserves. In June 2026, gas production fell to 2.5 billion cubic metres, a 30% decrease compared to the previous year. For the first half of the year, Uzbekistan produced 18.3 billion cubic metres of gas, which is 16% lower than the figures for 2025. In peak years, the country produced around 70 billion cubic metres, but by 2025, annual production had dropped to 42 billion cubic metres.

    This decline in production has intensified Uzbekistan’s reliance on gas imports. In the first six months of 2026, the country spent $972 million on gas and liquefied hydrocarbons imports, 1.4 times more than the previous year. The main suppliers are Russia and Turkmenistan. However, during certain months when domestic demand decreases, Uzbekistan exports surplus gas, primarily to China.

  • Gold Mining in Kyrgyzstan: DGML Project Prospects and Risks for Investors

    Gold Mining in Kyrgyzstan: DGML Project Prospects and Risks for Investors

    As the global gold market experiences fluctuations, the demand for gold remains strong, with prices projected to rise significantly by the end of 2026. In this context, Kyrgyzstan is positioning itself as a potential hub for gold mining, particularly with the involvement of Indian investors in the Solton-Sary project by Deccan Gold Mines Ltd. (DGML). This project marks a significant step towards industrial-scale gold extraction in the region, with plans to process approximately 30,000 tonnes of ore in a pilot phase.

    Kyrgyzstan, unlike its neighbours Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, has not been a leading gold producer, but untapped reserves could change this narrative. The Solton-Sary site, while not comparable to the Kumtor mine, holds promising resources estimated at 20 tonnes of gold. The project is strategically important not only for DGML but also for the Kyrgyz economy, which is looking to diversify and modernise its mining sector.

    The Solton-Sary project is situated in the Tian Shan mountain range, an area rich in mineral resources. Historical exploration has revealed numerous gold deposits, and the current geological assessments indicate a wealth of untapped potential. The project is set to benefit from existing infrastructure, including a processing plant that was previously operational under Kyrgyzaltyn, which can handle up to 100,000 tonnes of ore annually.

    However, the project is not without risks. Past experiences, such as those faced by Zhong Ji Mining, highlight the importance of community engagement and environmental considerations. Local opposition to mining activities can pose significant challenges, as seen in previous instances where mining operations were halted due to environmental concerns raised by local residents. DGML must navigate these complexities to ensure the project’s success.

    The Kyrgyz government is keen to bolster its mining industry, aiming for a gold production target of 38 tonnes per year by 2030. The revival of the Solton-Sary project is crucial in achieving this goal, especially as production at Kumtor has decreased. The partnership with Indian investors not only enhances Kyrgyzstan’s export potential but also strengthens bilateral relations, potentially paving the way for further investments in the region.

    In summary, the DGML project in Kyrgyzstan represents a significant opportunity for both the country and the investors involved. With careful management of environmental and social factors, the project could lead to substantial economic benefits and establish Kyrgyzstan as a key player in the Central Asian gold mining sector.

  • Harnessing Data Automation in the Mining Industry: Enhancing Report Accuracy and Decision-Making

    Harnessing Data Automation in the Mining Industry: Enhancing Report Accuracy and Decision-Making

    In the mining sector, vast amounts of data are processed daily from various sources such as task orders, shift reports, instrument readings, and accounting logs. Any discrepancies—be it a measurement error, a missed event, or an incorrectly recorded downtime—can distort the operational picture, leading to misguided management decisions and unplanned downtimes that can result in significant financial losses for mining companies. Automation of reporting is emerging as a vital solution to streamline data handling, transforming disparate metrics into reliable summaries.

    Tim Zinin, managing partner at ‘Zinin, Shturbin and Partners’, a firm specialising in the implementation of AI in industrial documentation, elaborates on the tools available for automating reports. One of the critical issues in shift reporting is that the final report rarely reaches management in a complete form. Zinin points out that the same shift hour may be described differently in various documents, creating confusion. For instance, one employee may note a ‘conveyor stop’, while another might refer to it as ‘loading unit downtime’. This inconsistency, along with variations in recording times and measurement units, leads to reports that lack a direct link to the original source, rendering the aggregated data unreliable.

    The data processing begins with collecting primary sources such as scanned documents, photographs of forms, data exports from accounting systems, and Excel spreadsheets. The digital system structures these documents by identifying the site, shift, equipment, and relevant metrics. It extracts events from free text, such as specific equipment stoppages or complaints about safety conditions. Handwritten notes and illegible scans require additional steps for recognition, ensuring that errors are flagged for human verification before being included in the summary.

    The automation process culminates in a comprehensive report that can be generated daily, weekly, or by site. When management poses a question, they receive an answer linked to the specific document and the relevant line within it, allowing for rapid verification of claims. Zinin emphasises that every figure and statement must trace back to the original report, enhancing accountability and transparency in data reporting.

    However, Zinin cautions that AI should not replace human oversight in certain situations. When discrepancies arise between two versions of a report, the system prompts human intervention to determine the correct version. Moreover, the system must also account for access rights, as different employees may have varying permissions to view specific documents. Critical incidents, such as accidents or safety issues, must always be reviewed by a human, ensuring that the decision-making process remains robust and informed.

    To successfully implement automated reporting, several conditions must be met: a unified list of equipment and sites for data comparison, a documented version of regulations and instructions, and a designated individual responsible for resolving disputes. The effectiveness of automation can be measured through metrics such as the time taken from the end of a shift to the completion of a report, the percentage of reports processed without manual adjustments, and the frequency of disputes flagged for human review.

    Prominent companies in Central Asia are already digitising their documentation processes and automating report handling. For instance, the Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Complex has implemented a business process management system that has reduced paper reports by 92%. Similarly, the Eurasian Resources Group has automated 47 business processes, resulting in a 40% reduction in approval times and saving $50,000 annually in processing costs. These examples highlight how digital transformation is simplifying production management in the mining industry, paving the way for more efficient operations and improved decision-making.

  • Vast Resources Joins US Defense Industrial Base Consortium to Enhance Critical Mineral Supply Chain Security

    Vast Resources Joins US Defense Industrial Base Consortium to Enhance Critical Mineral Supply Chain Security

    Vast Resources (VAST) has recently been admitted to the US Department of Defense-supported Defense Industrial Base Consortium (DIBC) and the Cornerstone Consortium, marking a significant step in enhancing its access to US defence, industry, and government stakeholders focused on critical mineral supply chain security. This membership is expected to provide Vast with numerous opportunities to engage in critical materials initiatives, attend industry events, and participate in research and prototyping programmes under the US government’s Other Transaction Authority framework.

    The DIBC, managed by Advanced Technology International, comprises over 1,500 member organisations from industry, academia, and government, all dedicated to areas deemed vital to US national security, including critical minerals, rare earth elements, energy storage, batteries, and microelectronics. Meanwhile, the Cornerstone Consortium operates under the Department of Defense’s Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment programme, bringing together defence contractors, small businesses, private capital, and academic institutions to bolster the US manufacturing and defence industrial base.

    Andrew Prelea, CEO of Vast Resources, expressed that joining the DIBC is a significant milestone for the company, underscoring the strategic importance of its critical minerals portfolio. This is particularly relevant as Vast expands its operations into Tajikistan while maintaining its existing assets in Romania. Prelea highlighted the urgent need for secure sources of materials essential to defence and industrial applications, stating that membership provides valuable access to a collaborative network of US defence stakeholders and industry partners.

    Vast’s portfolio includes a range of minerals such as copper, lead, zinc, silver, antimony, and molybdenum, which are crucial for applications in defence, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and energy technologies. While the memberships do not guarantee contracts or funding, they offer a structured pathway for Vast to demonstrate the strategic relevance of its assets and engage with initiatives aimed at reducing reliance on non-allied sources of critical minerals.

    The memberships are expected to enhance Vast’s visibility within the US defence and critical minerals ecosystem, potentially leading to partnerships, funding, and project development opportunities as Western governments increasingly seek secure supplies of strategic minerals. This move aligns with a broader trend of nations prioritising domestic and allied sources for critical materials, reflecting the growing importance of supply chain security in the mining and minerals sector.

  • Kazakhstan’s Strategic Focus on Critical Materials Amid Global Competition

    Kazakhstan’s Strategic Focus on Critical Materials Amid Global Competition

    Kazakhstan is positioning itself as a key player in the global competition for critical materials, particularly rare earth metals, which are essential for high-tech industries. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev highlighted the country’s significant resource and production potential during a recent Security Council meeting, as reported by Exclusive.kz. He emphasized that Kazakhstan must leverage its advantages in Central Asia to benefit the nation amidst rising global competition for access to these vital resources.

    Tokayev noted that the current global landscape presents unique opportunities for countries with substantial reserves of critical materials. He underscored the strategic importance of these resources for the development of high-tech sectors and acknowledged the intensifying competition among nations for access to them.

    In light of this, Kazakhstan is urged not only to focus on raw material extraction but also to enhance its competencies in processing and developing high-value production chains. The meeting included presentations from government members regarding the current state of the industry, prospects for resource base development, and existing barriers to progress.

    Following the discussions, the government and relevant state bodies were tasked with creating a comprehensive vision for the industry’s development. This includes improving regulations, boosting geological exploration and processing, integrating technogenic mineral formations into the economic turnover, and developing laboratory and human resources. Additionally, efforts will be made to eliminate administrative barriers that hinder progress in this critical sector.

  • Central Asia’s Nuclear Ambitions: Kazakhstan’s Strategic Role in the Uranium Market

    Central Asia’s Nuclear Ambitions: Kazakhstan’s Strategic Role in the Uranium Market

    Central Asia is emerging as a pivotal player in the global nuclear energy landscape, with Kazakhstan at the forefront due to its substantial uranium reserves. Expert Iqbal Guliyev from MGIMO highlights the region’s pragmatic approach to nuclear energy, particularly in its interactions with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The region’s nuclear projects are attracting international attention, as evidenced by frequent visits from IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, who engages with regional leaders to discuss long-term cooperation and strategic roadmaps.

    The geopolitical context, marked by crises and sanctions, has disrupted traditional supply chains, making reliable nuclear fuel supply a critical concern for the United States and the European Union. For Central Asian countries, which are eager to move beyond their roles as mere raw material suppliers, this presents an opportunity to become full-fledged technological partners in nuclear energy. Kazakhstan, a global leader in uranium production, supplying about 40% of the world’s needs, is looking to not only export uranium but also participate in the entire nuclear fuel cycle.

    Guliyev emphasizes that while Kazakhstan’s potential as a full-cycle nuclear player is significant, the country has yet to establish this capability fully. He notes that while Kazakhstan has a robust uranium base and can develop processing and production infrastructure, the more complex stages of conversion and enrichment require international cooperation rather than complete technological autonomy. The ongoing sanctions and logistical challenges indeed compel market participants to diversify uranium supply routes, but Guliyev warns against conflating geopolitical assumptions with verified facts.

    The close collaboration with the IAEA serves as a means for Central Asian states to safeguard their national interests, with nuclear power plants (NPPs) seen as vital for economic survival amid acute electricity shortages. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are central to this competition, with various international corporations, including Russia’s Rosatom and China’s CNNC, proposing NPP projects in the region.

    Guliyev argues that the presence of the IAEA is not about pushing narrow geopolitical interests but rather about ensuring safety and compliance with international norms. The agency’s role is to provide oversight and guarantees rather than to dictate commercial partnerships. For Kazakhstan, this means international scrutiny and support for its nuclear projects, including those involving Rosatom, without political interference in the selection of technology partners.

    Beyond geopolitics, Grossi’s visits also have humanitarian implications, fostering cooperation in nuclear medicine and food security. Initiatives like the ‘Rays of Hope’ project aim to combat cancer, while agreements on using radiation technologies in agriculture are crucial for a region still haunted by the legacy of nuclear testing. These developments are essential for building public trust in nuclear technologies, especially in Kazakhstan, where historical memories of the Semipalatinsk test site linger.

    In conclusion, Central Asia is strategically leveraging its uranium resources, establishing itself as a key energy hub in Eurasia while fostering strong partnerships with the IAEA. This relationship not only enhances the predictability of the uranium market but also allows Central Asian nations, particularly Kazakhstan, to navigate the interests of major powers like Russia, China, and the USA while maintaining control over their energy independence. The IAEA’s involvement does not contradict Kazakhstan’s collaborations with Russia but rather reinforces trust in projects involving Russian technology, enabling Kazakhstan to develop its nuclear energy capabilities within a framework of international legitimacy.

  • Barys Resources Advances Gold Exploration in Kazakhstan with New Soil Samples

    Barys Resources Advances Gold Exploration in Kazakhstan with New Soil Samples

    Barys Resources (ASX:BRY) has initiated a significant step in its gold exploration efforts by sending 825 soil samples from its wholly owned Dalnee Gold Project and Karakul Gold Project in Kazakhstan for laboratory analysis. The samples, collected over an area of 14.6 square kilometres in the Balkhash region, are part of a comprehensive program aimed at generating targets for future drilling operations.

    Field crews employed a systematic approach to sample collection, gathering minus-80-mesh B-horizon samples at 100-metre intervals along north-south lines spaced 200 metres apart. This batch of samples, which includes quality assurance and quality control measures, has been dispatched to the ALS Laboratory in Karaganda for thorough gold and multi-element analysis. Barys anticipates that the assay results could take up to six weeks, as laboratories are currently managing increased workloads during Kazakhstan’s peak exploration season.

    The sampling campaign focused on seven distinct areas where Barys geologists have mapped alteration and mineralisation that overlap with anomalies previously identified through ASTER and Sentinel-2 satellite data. The observed alteration in these areas resembles the upper levels of porphyry copper systems, suggesting the potential presence of trace elements associated with epithermal gold mineralisation. The forthcoming assay results will be crucial in determining whether these areas exhibit significant geochemical anomalism.

    Managing Director Paul Ingram expressed satisfaction with the project’s progress, highlighting the collaboration with Aurora Minerals Group, a local geological services company. Ingram noted, “Barys has used the services of a Kazakhstan geological services company Aurora Minerals Group, whose professional work has been excellent. Barys geologists have just returned from visiting the site to monitor the work and will return to site to assist with additional sampling before week’s end.”

    This soil sampling initiative is part of a broader exploration program that includes ground magnetic surveys, geological mapping, rock chip sampling, and further soil collection. Barys plans to integrate the geochemical results with its geological and geophysical datasets to refine areas for potential drill testing.

    In addition to its two gold exploration licences in Kazakhstan’s North Balkhash region, Barys Resources also holds the wholly owned Agadez Uranium Project in Niger and minority interests in copper-silver projects within Botswana’s Kalahari Copper Belt. This diversified portfolio underscores Barys’ commitment to exploring and developing valuable mineral resources across various regions.

  • Kazatomprom Announces Extraordinary Shareholders Meeting to Discuss Major Uranium Supply Contract

    Kazatomprom Announces Extraordinary Shareholders Meeting to Discuss Major Uranium Supply Contract

    Kazakhstan’s national atomic company, Kazatomprom, has announced an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders, with a significant agenda item concerning a major contract for the supply of natural uranium in the form of U3O8. While specific details of the agreement remain undisclosed, it has been confirmed that the deliveries are intended for the international group of companies, Uranium One, which is part of the Russian state corporation Rosatom. This move underscores Kazatomprom’s ongoing strategic partnerships in the uranium market, particularly with Russian entities.

    In addition to the contract with Uranium One, Kazatomprom has also disclosed the signing of a spot purchase agreement for natural uranium concentrates with the Chinese company, State Nuclear Uranium Resource Development Company Ltd. This dual engagement highlights Kazatomprom’s proactive approach in securing contracts with both Russian and Chinese firms, reflecting the growing demand for uranium in the global energy sector.

    Kazatomprom’s initiatives are crucial as the world increasingly turns to nuclear energy as a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels. The company’s ability to navigate and establish these international contracts positions it as a key player in the uranium supply chain, which is vital for the nuclear power industry. The upcoming shareholders meeting is expected to provide further insights into Kazatomprom’s strategic direction and its role in the global uranium market.

  • Revival of the Lomonosov Iron Ore Deposit in Kazakhstan: New Mining Plans Unveiled

    Revival of the Lomonosov Iron Ore Deposit in Kazakhstan: New Mining Plans Unveiled

    The Lomonosov iron ore deposit in Kazakhstan’s Kostanay region, initially discovered in 1949, is set to undergo a significant revival after years of inactivity. According to financial reports from Lomonosov LLP for the year 2025, the company has announced plans to commence industrial mining operations. A supplementary agreement to the subsoil use contract is soon to be finalised, which will include a working programme extending until the end of 2046, the construction of a processing plant, and commitments to supply concentrate to Kazakh enterprises.

    This project, which received approval from the Ministry of Industry and Infrastructure Development’s working group in May 2026, is centred around a processing facility with a capacity of 16 million tonnes of ore per year. Preparatory work for the site is expected to take place by the end of 2026, with stripping operations scheduled between 2026 and 2028. The extraction phase is slated to begin in 2029, according to the development schedule.

    As of the end of 2015, the state commission approved the deposit’s reserves at 177 million tonnes. However, a 2014 report by Mining Associates estimated that the measured and inferred resources are significantly higher, at 507.8 million tonnes. The mining plan outlines that a total of 275.3 million tonnes of ore will be extracted over the project’s lifespan, yielding 73.5 million tonnes of concentrate with a 67% iron content. The project’s capacity is expected to increase gradually, peaking at 22 million tonnes of ore per year during the final stages of operation.

    Additionally, the Lomonosov ores contain vanadium, enhancing the project’s strategic value. The financial projections are based on a concentrate price of $100 per tonne, indicating a potentially lucrative venture for stakeholders involved in this revitalisation effort.