MINEX Forum

Website: Kazakhstan.com

  • Kazakhstan Day 2024

    Kazakhstan Day 2024

    This event combines cultural insight and information about Kazakhstan’s thriving mining and mineral exploration industry.

    📅 Date: March 4, 2024
    🕒 Time: 14:00 – 18:00
    📍 Location: Canada, Toronto, MTCC, Room 206F

    Highlights of the Event:

    🌍 Plenary Session: Introduction to Kazakhstan

    The rich mosaic of Kazakhstan’s culture, history, and investment climate paints a vivid picture of a country that seamlessly weaves together its diverse landscapes, economic potential, and strategic positioning within the global market.

    Gain valuable insights into Kazakhstan’s welcoming business environment and discover why it’s a mining friendly jurisdiction.

    The list of speakers includes the Minister of Industry and Construction of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Canada, Chairman of the National Geological Survey and CEO of Eurasian Resources Group (ERG)

    🔍 Session 1: Northern Balkhash: opportunities for new discoveries

    The session will start with a movie presentation “Northern Balkhash – the next copper elephant”.

    Explore the promising potential of Balkhash – most favorable mining province in Kazakhstan. Uncover the latest breakthroughs and exciting discoveries, learn about emerging exploration projects, geological trends, and potential resource deposits that are reshaping the region’s mining landscape.

    Professor Reimar Seltmann will present the Balkhash segment of the Kazakhstan’s orecline: commodity basket for energy transition metals. CEO of Xcalibur Multiphysics Andres Blanco will share about planned airborne geophysics program in Northern Balkhash. CEO of Lakeside Minerals Trevor Wright will present a copper porphyry cluster of Balkhash province.

    💼 Session 2: Kazakhstan Mining Industry Review

    Learn about the dynamic world of Kazakhstan’s mining industry, key sectors, projects, and investment opportunities driving growth and innovation. Hear from industry decision makers on the current landscape and future prospects of Kazakhstan’s mining sector. The speakers in this session represent companies that have gone from exploration discoveries to mining and processing. This session includes C-level executives of RG Gold, Tau-Ken Samruk, Yer-Tai, Arras Minerals, Kazakh Invest and Aurora.

    PDF Agenda 

    Networking Opportunities:

    Forge meaningful connections with industry peers, government officials, and potential partners during dedicated networking breaks and sessions. Exchange ideas, explore collaboration opportunities, and build lasting relationships within the global mining community.

    Registration Details:

    Please register your interest pdac@aurora.kz

    #MineralExploration #Exploration #Kazakhstan #PDAC

  • В Восточном Казахстане наказали ТОО “Казцинк” за загрязнение реки

    В Восточном Казахстане наказали ТОО “Казцинк” за загрязнение реки

    По итогам внеплановой проверки за загрязнение реки в Восточно-Казахстанской области оштрафовали ТОО “Казцинк”, – передает Almaty.tv со ссылкой на пресс-службу Комитета экологического регулирования и контроля Минэкологии и природных ресурсов РК.

    Как отметили в ведомстве, январе 2024 года завершена внеплановая проверка в отношении Риддерского горно-обогатительного комплекса ТОО “Казцинк” по факту загрязнения реки Ульба.

    – В ходе проведения внеплановой проверки отобранные специалистами Департамента экологии пробы сточных вод показали превышение по марганцу в 4,5 раза. Также установлено что в результате ненадлежащей эксплуатации очистных сооружений происходят многочисленные изливы в реку Ульба. По итогам внеплановой проверки на ТОО «Казцинк»  наложен административный штраф в размере 50 млн. тенге а также выдано предписание об устранении нарушений, – говорится в сообщении пресс-службы Комитета экоконтроля.

  • In Eastern Kazakhstan, Kazzinc was punished for river pollution

    In Eastern Kazakhstan, Kazzinc was punished for river pollution

    According to a report by Almaty.tv citing the press service of the Committee for Environmental Regulation and Control of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kazzinc has been fined for polluting the Ulba River in the East Kazakhstan region following an unscheduled inspection.

    The department highlighted that in January 2024, an unscheduled inspection was conducted concerning the pollution of the Ulba River attributed to the Ridder mining and processing complex of Kazzinc.

    “During the unscheduled inspection, wastewater samples collected by specialists from the Department of Ecology revealed a 4.5-fold excess of manganese. It was also found that numerous discharges into the Ulba River were occurring due to improper operation of treatment facilities. Based on the findings of the unscheduled inspection, Kazzinc was fined 50 million tenge administratively, and an order was issued to rectify the violations,” stated the press service of the Environmental Control Committee.

  • Brandt will develop two gold deposits in northern Kazakhstan

    Brandt will develop two gold deposits in northern Kazakhstan

    The Brandt company is gearing up to kick off development at the gold deposits of the Yuzhno-Akkarginskoye and Yuzhno-Leonidovskoye Akkarginsky ore field in 2024. This project, outlined in the subsoil user’s documentation, has been made public on the Unified Environmental Portal of Kazakhstan.

    Their approach involves open-pit mining for extraction. The mining schedule for the Akkarga ore field is mapped out until 2029, with an anticipated annual ore yield of 420 thousand tons.

    These deposits’ reserves were officially added to the state balance sheet as of January last year. For Yuzhno-Akkarga, the balance reserves stand at 966.95 thousand tons of oxidized gold ores and 1.385 tons of gold (with an average precious metal content of 1.43 g/t), while off-balance reserves comprise 3.075 million tons of ore and 2.274 tons of gold.

    Meanwhile, the balance reserves for the Yuzhno-Leonidovskoye deposit are recorded as 1.087 million tons of ore and 1.375 tons of gold (with an average content of 1.27 g/t), alongside off-balance reserves of 2.444 million tons of ore and 1.438 tons of precious metal.

    Brandt’s strategy involves ore processing at its own gold recovery plant, utilizing the heap leaching method.

  • German think tank ranks Kazakhstan as ‘world middle power’

    German think tank ranks Kazakhstan as ‘world middle power’

    A study by the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP), focusing on the world’s ‘middle powers’ and published on 23 January, has identified twelve of them: Turkey, Israel, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan, India, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa, Mexico and Brazil.

    As the authors explain, although the twelve states are very different, what they have in common is their focus on economic development, the strong emphasis on security and stability and the pursuit of strategic autonomy.

    SWP singled out Kazakhstan in particular for its balanced foreign policy, its positioning as a Central Asian key player, and its rich resources – and for being a key element of the so-called Middle Corridor.

    “Kazakhstan has a wealth of resources that attracted the interest of the USA and Europe: fossil fuels (especially petroleum), metals, minerals and rare earth. The country has potential for the production of green energy sources (Hydrogen), in which the European Union (EU) has recently shown growing interest”, SWP writes.

    The German institute also said that Kazakhstan is banking on the EU’s Global Gateway project, as an alternative to China’s Belt-and-Road initiative. “Kazakhstan presents itself as a bridge between East and West and – with the (Caspian) port of Aktau – as a hinge in the Trans-Caspian Corridor”, the paper says.

    On foreign policy, SWP said that despite the country’s close relations with Russia, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev “unequivocally criticised the actions of his Russian counterpart” in the context of the war in Ukraine.

    “He unequivocally told publicly President Putin at the International Economic Forum in Saint Petersburg in June 2022 that the legal principle of territorial integrity of states should prevail and made it clear that Kazakhstan will not recognize the annexed territories in Ukraine”, the report reads.

    According to the German think tank, in the thirty years of its national independence, a mode of foreign policy action has developed in Kazakhstan that impairs the hegemonic claims of the major powers Russia, China, and the USA, through selective cooperation with these geopolitical antagonists.

    This policy of not taking sides, but engaging with all guarantees Kazakhstan a maximum of independence and creates space for the articulation and enforcement of state self-interests, SWP concludes.

    Euractiv asked Roman Vassilenko, deputy minister of foreign affairs of Kazakhstan, to comment on the news that his country was ranked among the world’s middle powers.

    Vassilenko emphasized multilateralism, a key feature of his country’s foreign policy.

    “If we are to find sustainable solutions to global problems, in an era characterised by increases in both polarisation and interconnectivity, we need more robust multilateralism”, he said on Wednesday (14 February).

    According to Vassilenko, this was even more important now, a time when there has been a notable shift in the balance of power.

    “Now, this responsibility does not only fall on the traditional “great powers”, but on a broader range of international players. Countries like Kazakhstan are increasingly able to make critical contributions to geopolitical issues, by leveraging their strong, multifaceted diplomatic relationships as well as their resources”, the diplomat said.

    He recognised that it was a pleasure to be mentioned by a respectable German institution in such a context, but this was obviously a recognition of the role of Kazakhstan in the global diplomatic power play and a call for a more robust and active engagement.

  • Kyrgyzstan, Russia discuss cooperation in energy sector, industry and transport

    Kyrgyzstan, Russia discuss cooperation in energy sector, industry and transport

    Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Akylbek Japarov made a working visit to Moscow, the Cabinet’s press service reported. Akylbek Japarov met with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.

    They discussed relevant aspects of bilateral trade, economic and investment cooperation.

    A special attention was paid to implementation of joint projects in energy sector, industry, transport, cultural and humanitarian spheres.

    Importance of further deepening of integration within the Eurasian Economic Union, Commonwealth of Independent States and other multilateral formats was highlighted.

  • Qarmet обязали выплатить миллиардные неустойки за нарушение контракта на добычу угля

    Qarmet обязали выплатить миллиардные неустойки за нарушение контракта на добычу угля

    Министерство промышленности и строительства направило компании «АрселорМиттал Темиртау» (с недавнего времени компания называется Qarmet) уведомление о начислении 4,6 млрд тенге неустойки за нарушение обязательств по контракту на добычу каменного угля и метана в шахтах Карагандинской области.

    «В соответствии с условиями контракта (пп. 3 п.15.1 статьи 15 контракта) за невыполнение финансовых обязательств за 2020 год, оплатить неустойку в размере суммы неисполненного за отчетный период обязательства в сумме 948 923,0 тыс. тенге: финансирование научно-исследовательских, научно-технических и (или) опытно-конструкторских работ в размере — 948 923,0 тыс. тенге. За 2021 год, оплатить неустойку в размере суммы неисполненного за отчетный период обязательства в сумме 1 017 932,0 тыс. тенге: финансирование научно-исследовательских, научно-технических и (или) опытно-конструкторских работ в размере — 1 017 932,0 тыс. тенге. За 2022 год оплатить неустойку в размере суммы неисполненного за отчетный период обязательства в сумме 2 587 876,89 тыс. тенге», — говорится в тексте уведомления за подписью вице-министра промышленности и строительства Ирана Шархана, направленного угледобывающей компании.

    Неустройка за 2022 год состоит из 150 млн тенге, которые должны были быть направлены на социально-экономическое развитие региона и развитие его инфраструктуры; 940,6 млн тенге — на обучение, повышение квалификации и переподготовки казахстанских работников; 1,49 млрд тенге — на финансирование НИОКР; а также 8,8 млн тенге — на внутристрановые ценности по отношению к работам.

    На 15 шахтах было добыто в 2020 году 9,5 млн тонн продукции при плане 13,1 млн тонн или 72,61% от плана; в 2021 году 8,3 млн тонн при плане 14,1 млн тонн (58,93%). В 2020-2022 годы компания вообще не финансировала НИОКР при плане в 948,9 млн тенге в 2020 году, 1,02 млрд тенге в 2021 году и 1,5 млрд тенге в 2022 году. Кроме того, объем инвестиций в 2022 году составил 0 тенге при плане в 157,1 млрд тенге. В уведомлении перечислены и другие нарушения, допущенные компанией.

    Компания также должна оплатить штраф в размере 20 месячных расчетных показателей (73,84 тыс. тенге в 2024 году) за непредоставление отчета об исполнении лицензионно-контрактных условий за 2022 год. Qarmet обязали устранить в месячный срок выявленные нарушения контрактных обязательств, а также представить все необходимые документы, подтверждающие их устранение (копии платежных поручений, договоры, акты выполненных работ); представить документы, подтверждающие оплату неустойки.

    В случае невыполнения требований уведомления в установленный срок Минпром вправе принять меры в соответствии с условиями контракта и действующим законодательством, в том числе прекратить действие контракта в одностороннем порядке.

    Владелец Allur Андрей Лаврентьев, который купил металлургическую компанию «АрселорМиттал Темиртау» и «АрселорМиттал Актау», вложил в стабилизацию деятельности компании Qarmet (Карметкомбинат) 28,6 млрд тенге частных инвестиций, сообщалось в конце декабря 2023 года. Также в декабре на предприятии вырос объем производства, увеличились запасы ферросплавов и угля, возобновлена отгрузка готовой продукции.

    ArcelorMittal при посредничестве министерства промышленности и строительства передал контроль над казахстанскими активами государственному институту развития Qazaqstan Investment Corporation. QIC в свою очередь отдал предприятие Qazaqstan Steel Group Андрея Лаврентьева, известного проектами в машиностроении.

    О сделке с Arcelor было объявлено 8 декабря 2023 года на пресс-конференции в Астане, где министр промышленности, бывший глава холдинга «Байтерек» Канат Шарлапаев объявил об условиях передачи актива.

    Покупка финансировалась за счет размещения облигаций на астанинской бирже AIX, специально созданной для этого компанией Лаврентьева QSG Holding. Объем первого выпуска равнялся $355 млн, ставка установлена на уровне 15% годовых. Погашение ожидается в 2027 году. Программа выпуска должна действовать пять лет. По данным площадки, с момента размещения 21 ноября на вторичном рынке с бумагами компании не было совершено ни одной сделки.

    Сумма сделки по продаже активов ArcelorMittal составила $286 млн, еще $700 млн составляет задолженность АМТ и «АрселорМиттал Актау» перед бывшим собственником.

    В конце ноября стало известно о намерении ЕНПФ вложить 1,5 трлн тенге в масштабные инфраструктурные проекты, в том числе связанные с энергетикой. Ожидалось, что 500 млрд тенге из общего объема будет направлено до конца года.

    В аналитическом отчете Arcelor по итогам III квартала 2023 года сообщается, что текущая балансовая стоимость (carrying value) АМТ составляет $1,8 млрд, при этом компания за 9 месяцев года генерировала отрицательную EBITDA, а средняя EBITDA, за исключением 2021 года, составляла $0,3 млрд. В Arcelor подчеркивают: с 1995 года компания потеряла на обменном курсе $1,3 млрд.

    Кроме того, покидающий Казахстан ArcelorMittal направит 16 млрд тенге в фонд «Казакстан халкына» на социальное развитие Карагандинской области.

  • Ministry of Industry Issues Notice to Qarmet Over Significant Contract Failures

    Ministry of Industry Issues Notice to Qarmet Over Significant Contract Failures

    The Ministry of Industry and Infrastructure of Kazakhstan has sent a notice to ArcelorMittal Temirtau (now known as Qarmet) demanding a penalty of 4.6 billion tenge for violating the terms of a contract for the extraction of coal and methane in the Karaganda region.

    The notice states that the company failed to fulfill its financial obligations for 2020-2022, including:

    • 948.9 million tenge in 2020 for financing research and development;
    • 1.017 billion tenge in 2021 for financing research and development;
    • 2.587 billion tenge in 2022, including:
      • 150 million tenge for social and economic development of the region and its infrastructure;
      • 940.6 million tenge for training, upskilling and retraining of Kazakhstani employees;
      • 1.49 billion tenge for financing research and development;
      • 8.8 million tenge for in-country value of works.

    In addition, the company failed to invest in 2022, despite a plan of 157.1 billion tenge.

    The notice also lists other violations committed by the company.

    Qarmet is also required to pay a fine of 20 monthly расчетных показателей (73,84 thousand tenge in 2024) for failing to provide a report on the implementation of license and contract terms for 2022.

    The company is required to eliminate the identified violations of contractual obligations within a month and submit all necessary documents confirming their elimination (copies of payment orders, contracts, acts of completed works); submit documents confirming payment of the penalty.

    In case of non-fulfillment of the requirements of the notice within the established time frame, the Ministry of Industry has the right to take measures in accordance with the terms of the contract and applicable legislation, including termination of the contract in a unilateral order.

    In late December 2023, it was reported that Allur owner Andrey Lavrentiev, who bought the metallurgical companies ArcelorMittal Temirtau and ArcelorMittal Aktau, invested 28.6 billion tenge of private investments in stabilizing the operations of Qarmet (Karmetkombinat). In December, the enterprise also increased production, increased stocks of ferroalloys and coal, and resumed shipment of finished products.

    ArcelorMittal, with the mediation of the Ministry of Industry and Infrastructure, transferred control of Kazakhstani assets to the state development institute Qazaqstan Investment Corporation. QIC, in turn, transferred the enterprise to Qazaqstan Steel Group of Andrey Lavrentiev, known for his projects in mechanical engineering.

    The deal with Arcelor was announced on December 8, 2023 at a press conference in Astana, where the Minister of Industry, former head of the Baiterek holding Kanat Sharlapayev announced the terms of the asset transfer.

    The purchase was financed by the placement of bonds on the Astana stock exchange AIX, specially created for this purpose by Lavrentiev’s company QSG Holding. The volume of the first issue was $355 million, the rate was set at 15% per annum. Redemption is expected in 2027. The program is expected to operate for five years. According to the site, since the placement on November 21, no transactions have been made with the company’s securities on the secondary market.

    The total amount of the deal for the sale of ArcelorMittal assets was $286 million, and another $700 million is the debt of AMT and ArcelorMittal Aktau to the former owner.

    In late November, it became known about the intention of the ENPF to invest 1.5 trillion tenge in large-scale infrastructure projects, including those related to energy. It was expected that 500 billion tenge out of the total volume will be allocated by the end of the year.

    An analytical report by Arcelor for the third quarter of 2023 states that the current carrying value of AMT is $1.8 billion, while the company generated negative EBITDA for 9 months of the year, and the average EBITDA, excluding 2021, was $0.3 billion. Arcelor emphasizes that since 1995 the company has lost $1.3 billion on the exchange rate.

    In addition, ArcelorMittal, which is leaving Kazakhstan, will allocate 16 billion tenge to the Kazakhstan Halkyna Fund for social development of the Karaganda region.

  • Высокий передел: на какие проекты возлагают надежды в Павлодарской области

    Высокий передел: на какие проекты возлагают надежды в Павлодарской области

    Ранее премьер-министр Олжас Бектенов поручил своему заместителю Роману Скляру провести переговоры с собственниками всех крупных промышленных предприятий и представить конкретные планы по созданию в ближайшее время новых производств высокого передела.

    В ответ на запрос редакции в акимате Павлодарской области сообщили, что в регионе реализуют пять проектов общей стоимостью 130 млрд тенге в таких отраслях, как стройиндустрия, машиностроение, нефтехимия. Работу получат 905 человек.

    В частности, на этот год запланирован ввод двух объектов с иностранным участием. В области на стадии строительно-монтажных работ находится проект “Организация механической обработки поверхностей изделий различного назначения в металлургии, машиностроении и энергетики” за 7,2 млрд тенге. Его реализуют с участием компании из России. Здесь намерены наладить выпуск 8,7 тыс. изделий в год. Работу могут получить 60 человек.

    А инвестор из Турции поможет дать старт производству алюминиевого листа и фольги. Отмечается, что к строительству предприятия приступят в марте этого года. Также в этот период ожидается поставка оборудования. Запуск проекта оценивается в 8 млрд тенге. Мощность – 18 тыс. тонн в год, рабочих мест – 70. Алюминиевые листы востребованы в авиа- и автомобильной отрасли, строительной отрасли, пищевой промышленности, на мировом рынке производства бытовой техники.

    В следующем году казахстанская компания намерена организовать участок механической обработки. Запуск обойдется в 5,8 млрд тенге. Мощность – 40,2 тыс. штук колесобандажной продукции в год, или 4,02 тыс. штук инструмента деформации.

    В области строится кузнечно-бандажный комплекс за 78,5 млрд тенге. Предприятие может заработать в 2026 году. Здесь будут выпускать 54 тыс. штук черновых бандажей и 27 тыс. штук заготовок зубчатых колес в год.

    В тот же год планируют открыть завод по производству алкилата за 30,29 млрд тенге. Ожидается, что здесь будут перерабатывать 110 тыс. тонн сырья (бутан-бутиленовая фракция) и производить 92 тыс. тонн готовой продукции в год.

  • Five new high-value added production projects to be launched in Pavlodar region

    Five new high-value added production projects to be launched in Pavlodar region

    Pavlodar region is expecting the launch of five projects for the production of high-value added products. The regional akimat (administration) announced the details.

    Earlier, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov instructed his deputy Roman Sklyar to hold talks with the owners of all large industrial enterprises and submit specific plans for the creation of new high-value added production facilities in the near future.

    In response to an inquiry from the editorial board, the akimat of Pavlodar region reported that five projects with a total cost of 130 billion tenge will be implemented in the region in such sectors as construction industry, mechanical engineering, and petrochemistry. The projects will create 905 jobs.

    In particular, the launch of two facilities with foreign participation is planned for this year. The project “Organization of mechanical processing of surfaces of products of various purposes in metallurgy, mechanical engineering and power engineering” with a cost of 7.2 billion tenge is under construction and installation works in the region. It is being implemented with the participation of a Russian company. The project is expected to produce 8.7 thousand products per year. It can create 60 jobs.

    An investor from Turkey will help to launch the production of aluminum sheet and foil. It is noted that the construction of the enterprise will start in March this year. The supply of equipment is also expected during this period. The launch of the project is estimated at 8 billion tenge. The capacity is 18 thousand tons per year, and the number of jobs is 70. Aluminum sheets are in demand in the aviation and automotive industries, construction industry, food industry, and in the global market for the production of household appliances.

    Next year, a Kazakh company plans to organize a mechanical processing site. The launch will cost 5.8 billion tenge. The capacity is 40.2 thousand units of wheel-tire products per year, or 4.02 thousand units of deformation tools.

    A forging and tire complex is under construction in the region for 78.5 billion tenge. The enterprise may start operating in 2026. It will produce 54 thousand units of rough tires and 27 thousand units of gear blanks per year.

    In the same year, it is planned to open a plant for the production of alkylate for 30.29 billion tenge. It is expected that 110 thousand tons of raw materials (butane-butylene fraction) will be processed here and 92 thousand tons of finished products will be produced per year.

    Project details

    Project Cost (billion tenge) Capacity Jobs
    Organization of mechanical processing of surfaces of products of various purposes in metallurgy, mechanical engineering and power engineering 7.2 8.7 thousand products per year 60
    Production of aluminum sheet and foil 8 18 thousand tons per year 70
    Mechanical processing site 5.8 40.2 thousand units of wheel-tire products per year, or 4.02 thousand units of deformation tools –
    Forging and tire complex 78.5 54 thousand units of rough tires and 27 thousand units of gear blanks per year –
    Alkylate production plant 30.29 110 thousand tons of raw materials (butane-butylene fraction) and 92 thousand tons of finished products per year