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  • IMC Montan на Minex Kazakhstan 2026: экспертный взгляд на вызовы отрасли

    IMC Montan на Minex Kazakhstan 2026: экспертный взгляд на вызовы отрасли

    В этом году компания IMC Montan выступает соорганизатором сессии «ESG-трансформация и «социальная лицензия» в горнодобывающем секторе Казахстана» в рамках форума Minex Kazakhstan. Почему ESG-повестка сегодня становится не просто трендом, а экономической необходимостью рассказали эксперты Компании.

    Решение IMC Montan выступить организатором сессии, посвященной устойчивому развитию, продиктовано временем. Казахстан подошел к регуляторному внедрению принципов ESG для бизнеса. Ранее такая повестка была прерогативой компаний, традиционно следящих за международными трендами и стремящихся соответствовать требованиям инвесторов или партнеров. Сейчас же ESG в Казахстане активно развивается не только за счет внешних условий. Горнодобывающий сектор является одним из наиболее чувствительных к ESG-факторам, поэтому обмен опытом по этой теме будет полезен для всех участников форума.   

    Какие вопросы в этой сфере, как вам кажется, сейчас наиболее актуальны для недропользователей?

    Если говорить о масштабных вопросах, находящихся не только в рамках национальных законодательств, но и являющихся составной частью принципов устойчивого развития и областью внедрения наилучших доступных технологий, то стоит отметить такие, как обращение с отходами недропользования, энергоэффективность, рациональное водопользование, сохранение биоразнообразия. Отдельно стоит отметить аспекты ликвидации и рекультивации. Мы уверены, что, участникам форума будут интересны какие-то нестандартные кейсы решения таких вопросов. Например, не так много экспертов, которые имеют реальный опыт проведения работ по ликвидации и рекультивации, а между тем, данные мероприятия оказывают существенное влияние на экономику проекта в целом, недооценка этих затрат может стать критическим фактором. В настоящее время аспекты экологической ответственности играют все большую роль для бизнеса, и в том числе бизнес хочет видеть финансовые преимущества или получить какие-то преференции от реализации своих экологических политик. Таким образом, актуальная повестка для недропользователей ориентирована на управление жизненным циклом актива: от обращения с отходами в период эксплуатации до постинвестиционной оценки обязательств по ликвидации и рекультивации.

    Вы говорили про тему обращения с отходами добычи и переработки. Можете поделиться какими-то интересными кейсами?

    Предприятия горнодобывающего сектора обязаны задумываться от том, как и куда будут «уходить» их крупнотоннажные минеральные отходы (вскрышные породы, отходы обогащения). И основная сложность при обращении с такими отходами – это объемы их образования, ведь при привычном способе размещения таких отходов на поверхности требуются значительные площади земельных участков. Ситуация осложняется исходными условиями расположения месторождений. Например, сложные условия рельефа или наличие населенных пунктов, других объектов природной или социальной значимости. Естественно, что недропользователи заинтересованы в поиске альтернативных вариантов. Также существенный интерес сегодня вызывают вопросы добычи полезных компонентов из отходов недропользования, использование отходов в качестве строительного сырья или его компонента.

    Но все-таки одним из самых болезненных вопросов остается вопрос размещения отходов, так как он не только экологический, но и в равной степени экономический и земельно-имущественный. Наиболее интересные кейсы лежат на стыке технологических и правовых решений. Успешные примеры показывают, что отходы могут быть не только точкой финансового напряжения, а ресурсом, если удается выстроить логику и документальную базу в соответствии с принципами экономики замкнутого цикла.

    В нашей практике мы сталкивались с рядом интересных решений. Например, размещение хвостов в отработанном пространстве карьеров (как с их предварительной гидроизоляцией, так и без) или производство из хвостов специального материла (рекультиванта) для закладки выработанного пространства (когда речь идет не о размещении отходов обогащения, а о производстве продукта). Безусловно, такие нестандартные подходы требуют достаточных обоснований экологической безопасности, но открывают новые возможности. Оба упомянутых варианта обращения с хвостами имели ощутимый экономический эффект (в размере 27-50 млн. долл. США), но требовали рассмотрения правовых основ и регуляторных перспектив для исключения критических административных рисков (не только штрафных санкций, но и закрытия производства).  

    Важный регуляторный стимул появился в Казахстане в начале 2026 г с принятием «Концепции управления всеми видами отходов в Республике Казахстан на 2026-2030 годы». Управление отходами горнодобывающей и металлургической отраслей определено в ней одним из стратегических направлений. Планируемое развитие нормативно-правовой базы Республики в части вовлечения отходов недропользования в использование (в том числе в качестве техногенных минеральных образований) становится дополнительным стимулом для поиска оптимальных решений со стороны недропользователя.

    Отдельной темой вы упомянули вопросы ликвидации и рекультивации. По вашему мнению, с какими практическими проблемами сталкивается недропользователь при выполнении обязательств по ликвидации и рекультивации? 

    По нашему мнению, основной проблемой является недопонимание целей и принципов успешной рекультивации, что и приводит в итоге к неэффективным решениям. В нашей практике мы часто сталкиваемся с «шаблонными» принципами планирования рекультивационных работ, и, соответственно, недооценке затрат на их проведение. В международной практике давно сформулированы основные критерии успешной рекультивации – экологические (такие как безопасность территории по физическим, геохимическим и экологическим параметрам, безопасность здоровья и жизни населения, отсутствие загрязнения водных ресурсов после закрытия, целостность экологических систем) и социальные (минимизация социально-экономических последствий закрытия к минимуму и получение социально-экономических выгод). При этом разработка Планов закрытия и рекультивации должна осуществляться на как можно более раннем этапе проектирования. Каждый из упомянутых критериев успешной рекультивации требует рассмотрения при планировании. Такие вопросы как достаточность мер по управлению шахтными водами, прогноз геохимической стабильности отвалов после закрытия, учет мнения заинтересованных сторон и другие должны быть изучены, а решения – обоснованы.

    В Казахстане, как мы знаем, формирование недропользователями Планов (проектов) по рекультивации также вменено в обязанность на проектной стадии, однако, по нашим наблюдениям, такие Проекты являются скорее формальными, чем стратегическими. В конечном итоге это может приводить к недостатку финансового обеспечения необходимого объема рекультивационно-ликвидационных работ к моменту их осуществления. При этом, эффективность мероприятий не всегда означает их затратность. Некоторые решения, принятые при планировании всего производства в целом, могут снижать затраты на закрытие. Например, уже ранее приведенный вариант размещения хвостов в карьере.  Или учет возможности формирования кислого стока и управление им в процессе складирования породы в отвалах.

    Переходя к теме международных стандартов, поделитесь личным мнением, может ли их внедрение принести реальные выгоды бизнесу?

    Безусловно, да. Основываясь на практическом опыте взаимодействия с предприятиями отрасли в странах СНГ, мы можем уверенно говорить не просто о пользе, а о стратегической необходимости внедрения международных стандартов. Интеграция принципов ESG позволяет качественно реструктурировать систему управления рисками. Мы наблюдаем, как на многих предприятиях хаотичная реакция на экологические и социальные инциденты сменяется системным подходом к их предиктивному анализу и предотвращению. Стандарты выступают также катализатором корпоративной культуры: фиксируется значительный рост ответственности бизнеса на всех уровнях, что напрямую влияет на репутационные активы компаний.

    Показательно, что, инициатива чаще всего исходит от служб охраны окружающей среды (как наиболее чувствительных к регуляторным изменениям). Однако последнее время можем отметить и рост вовлеченности руководства. Не секрет, что стоимость пользования природными богатствами неуклонно растет, еще в большей прогрессии растет стоимость экологических ошибок бизнеса.

    Казахстан сейчас находится в уникальной точке: накопленный опыт и текущий запрос со стороны государства и рынка создают предпосылки для качественного скачка в повышении эко-социальной ответственности.

    Сегодня мы говорили о вызовах, нестандартных решениях, экономических эффектах и регуляторных изменениях в сфере ESG. Какие еще направления работы в этой или других важных для недропользователя сферах могут раскрыть эксперты IMC Montan? 

    IMC Montan на протяжении многих лет сопровождает горнодобывающие проекты, в том числе в вопросах экологии, устойчивого развития и управления рисками. Накопленный опыт, а это более 1 000 реализованных проектов по всему миру, позволил нам сформировать комплексное понимание существующих проблем и выработать экспертный подход в части нивелирования рисков, да и в целом эффективного управления проектами. На сессии мы поделимся показательными кейсами, отразим количественные и качественные характеристики реализуемых подходов в части управления природопользованием, постараемся, чтобы встреча была интересной и полезной. Информация об участниках сессии и темах обсуждения доступна на активной ссылке площадки: https://2026.minexkazakhstan.com/ru/forum-agenda/tehnicheskaya-sessiya-2/

  • Kazakhstan Seizes $1 Million Mining Equipment Shipment Bound for Russia at Ayat Border Checkpoint

    Kazakhstan Seizes $1 Million Mining Equipment Shipment Bound for Russia at Ayat Border Checkpoint

    Kazakh customs authorities have confiscated a shipment of mining equipment weighing eight tonnes and valued at over $1 million that was being illegally exported to Russia through the Ayat border checkpoint, officials have confirmed.

    The exporter did not hold the required licence to export the equipment, prompting authorities to detain the shipment. Following intervention by the prosecutor’s office, the Kostanay Regional Court ruled that the confiscated assets should be transferred to state ownership, formally confirming both the legality of the seizure and the government’s claim to the equipment.

    The incident comes amid heightened scrutiny across Central Asia over the cross-border movement of technical and industrial hardware, particularly equipment that could be subject to international export controls in the context of sanctions against Russia. Analysts say the case underscores a broader tightening of enforcement at Kazakhstan’s border crossings and could have implications for the regional market in crypto mining hardware, a sector that has seen significant activity in Kazakhstan in recent years.

    Authorities are now expected to review export licensing requirements and consider strengthening customs oversight mechanisms to prevent similar violations.

  • Kazakhstan Unveils 7.5 Trillion Tenge Energy Plan to Build 7.8 GW of New and Upgraded Power Capacity by 2030

    Kazakhstan Unveils 7.5 Trillion Tenge Energy Plan to Build 7.8 GW of New and Upgraded Power Capacity by 2030

    Kazakhstan has launched a national energy project targeting the construction and modernisation of 7.8 gigawatts of power generation capacity by 2030, as the government moves to address a chronic shortage of baseload electricity infrastructure that has constrained economic growth.

    The initiative, announced by the office of Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, will be financed entirely outside the state budget, requiring a minimum of 7.5 trillion tenge in private investment. It represents one of the most ambitious energy infrastructure programmes in the country’s post-independence history.

    At the heart of the plan are several large-scale new power stations. A coal-fired plant with a capacity of 2,640 MW will be built in Ekibastuz — Kazakhstan’s established coal power hub — while facilities of 700 MW and 500 MW are planned for Kurchatov and Zhezkazgan respectively. Advanced coal-fired combined heat and power plants will also be constructed in Kokshetau, Semey and Ust-Kamenogorsk.

    Alongside new builds, eleven existing power stations will be modernised during the same period, including the Aksu State Regional Power Plant, Ekibastuz GRES-2 and the Karaganda energy hub. The upgrades are expected to reduce the average wear rate of core power generation equipment across the sector by 12.6% within five years.

    Environmental standards feature prominently in the design of the new coal capacity. All new facilities will be built exclusively using clean coal technologies, incorporating high-efficiency electrostatic precipitators, catalytic nitrogen oxide reduction systems and wet flue gas desulphurisation equipment — measures the government says will bring emissions in line with international standards.

    The energy programme has been synchronised with upstream coal mining and rail logistics planning. Annual energy coal consumption in Kazakhstan is projected to grow by approximately 20 million tonnes by 2030 to fuel the expanded generation fleet. To meet that demand, the country’s fleet of gondola freight wagons will be expanded by 600 units per day, railway infrastructure will be modernised, and predictable tariff corridors for domestic coal supply will be introduced to provide pricing stability for power producers.

    The government also expects the national project to generate significant knock-on demand across the domestic manufacturing sector, including for locally produced boiler units, power transformers and industrial automation systems — embedding the energy build-out within a broader industrial development strategy.

  • Kazakhstan’s Karaganda Region Bets on Digital Upgrades and New Investment to Revive Its Mining Heartland

    Kazakhstan’s Karaganda Region Bets on Digital Upgrades and New Investment to Revive Its Mining Heartland

    Karaganda Region, long the industrial backbone of Kazakhstan, is pushing to modernise its mining sector through digital technology and a wave of new investment projects, even as the industry grapples with volatile commodity prices, ageing infrastructure and a growing shortage of skilled workers.

    Speaking to news agency NewTimes.kz, Alibek Moldakarimov, deputy head of the Region’s Department of Entrepreneurship and Industry, said the extractive sector remains a cornerstone of the regional economy, employing more than 40,000 people across 109 enterprises. The sector produced goods worth 81.1 billion tenge in January alone — up 2% on the same period last year — with total output forecast to reach 850 billion tenge for the year.

    The region’s resource base spans coal, copper, iron, manganese, lead and zinc, and the mining and metallurgical complex accounts for approximately 70% of all industrial output in the area. Sixteen mining projects have been included in Kazakhstan’s national investment pipeline, with the potential to create nearly 2,000 new jobs. Two additional copper extraction and processing projects are also expected to launch this year.

    Several major enterprises are already active in the region, including Qarmet, Kazakhmys, Altynalmas, Asia FerroAlloys, Shubarkol Komir and Nova Zinc. Companies are increasingly turning to digital solutions to improve both efficiency and workplace safety. Qarmet has deployed an electronic system that automates occupational health and safety processes and monitors worker welfare in real time. Altynalmas, meanwhile, has introduced a fleet management system to oversee mining transport operations, alongside a seismograph — the Zetl 7156 — to monitor blasting activity, and an automated pre-shift medical screening system called ESMA that checks workers’ physical condition before they begin work.

    On the investment front, a new open-pit coal mine operated by Saryozen Komir has been launched in the Nurinsky District, with planned annual output of around 300,000 tonnes. Eurasian Land has also commissioned a manganese ore extraction project with capacity of approximately 80,000 tonnes per year. Later in 2025, a copper extraction and processing operation at the Tesiktassk deposit in the Aktogai District is expected to come online.

    Despite the optimism, Moldakarimov acknowledged that the sector faces significant structural challenges. Global commodity price instability and intensifying international competition are pressing concerns, as is the need for energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable technology upgrades. Most acutely, the industry is confronting a critical shortage of qualified personnel and young specialists — a problem companies are attempting to address through closer partnerships with educational institutions and dedicated training programmes.

  • The First Mining-Site Digital Product Passport in Turkey

    The First Mining-Site Digital Product Passport in Turkey

    Minespider, a leading traceability and Digital Product Passport (DPP) platform, and TETHYS Trans-Eurasian Gateway, a company specializing in bridging European technologies to mining projects in Turkey and Central Asia, announce the first Digital Product Passport (DPP) implemented at the Çataltepe Mining Project, marking a significant milestone in the digital transformation of the critical minerals sector.

    This is one of the first implementations of the Digital Product Passport in mining sites in Central Asia and Turkiye, which now positions Çataltepe as a pioneering project in the region’s transition toward transparent and traceable critical minerals supply chains.

    Following a collaboration that began in May 2025, the two companies launched a Digital Product Passport (DPP) pilot at the Çataltepe Polymetallic mine located in the Dardanelles (Çanakkale) in Turkey. The traceability project, including capturing and linking data of origin, processing, and ESG indicators, is planned to be introduced across the entire supply chain – from the Çataltepe Mine based in Lapseki, Çanakkale to the Yenice Flotation Plant, and finally to export.

    A New Standard for Critical Minerals Transparency

    The Digital Product Passport is a dynamic digital record that captures verified data across the full lifecycle of a product—from raw material extraction to end-of-life. The system will provide a transparent chain of custody for each shipment of lead concentrate, zinc concentrate and copper concentrate from the Çataltepe polymetallic mine, with the expected volumes of ~15,000 tonnes of ore processed monthly, yielding 1,000–1,200 tonnes of concentrate output. The introduction of Digital Product Passports will consolidate reporting, improve efficiency, and enhance trust with downstream customers and will help to ensure compliance with international regulations such as the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA).

    Driving Accountability Across the Critical Minerals Value Chain

    Digital Product Passports are rapidly becoming a cornerstone of the global transition toward sustainable and accountable supply chains. They enable the collection and sharing of product data across the entire value chain, closing information gaps and enhancing decision-making.

    Leyla Keser, Chairperson of TETHYS, stated:

    “At TETHYS, we define accountability not as an abstract principle, but as a measurable and traceable reality across the entire value chain. With the Çataltepe Digital Product Passport, we are embedding transparency at the very origin of critical minerals—where trust must begin. This is not only a technological milestone, but a strategic step toward aligning our region with global standards, strengthening responsible sourcing, and positioning Greater Central Asia, Türkiye, and the Balkans as reliable and future-ready partners in the global critical minerals supply chain.”

    Nathan Williams, Founder & CEO of Minespider, said:

    “We are entering a new phase where mineral supply chains must be not only efficient, but also transparent and verifiable by design. Each shipment can be traced back to its origin, with verified data on production and ESG parameters. This is a critical step toward enabling trusted, data-driven mineral supply chains that meet emerging regulatory requirements and industry expectations. We are proud that the Çataltepe project creates a new benchmark for sustainable mining projects in the region.”

    About Tethys

    Tethys operates across Greater Central Asia, Türkiye, and the Balkans, focusing on critical minerals, infrastructure, and sustainable value chains. Through its integrated approach, Tethys combines investment, technology, and ESG principles to deliver accountable, scalable, and future-oriented projects across strategic regions.

    https://www.tethysgateway.com/

    About Minespider

    Minespider is a leading European mineral traceability platform, trusted by global companies including Microvast, Renault, Minsur, TEMSA, PTL, Ford Otosan, and Tata Elxsi. Its blockchain-based system provides secure, transparent data sharing across supply chains in Digital Product Passports (DPPs) and Digital Battery Passports (DBPs) to support compliance and sustainability from mine to manufacturer.

    For more information about Minespider, please email marketing@minespider.com or visit our website at www.minespider.com.

  • Kazakh Investor Shakhmurat Mutalip Emerges as Leading Bidder for Yuzhuralzoloto

    Kazakh Investor Shakhmurat Mutalip Emerges as Leading Bidder for Yuzhuralzoloto

    Kazakh businessman Shakhmurat Mutalip has emerged as a leading contender to acquire the nationalised Russian gold mining group Yuzhuralzoloto (YUGK), according to media reports, as Moscow prepares to auction the asset in the coming weeks.

    The company, previously controlled by businessman and former politician Konstantin Strukov, was transferred to state ownership in 2025 following a legal case related to anti-corruption violations. The Russian Ministry of Finance has indicated that the sale of a controlling stake of approximately 67% could take place as early as March 2026.

    Mutalip, 35, is considered one of the fastest-rising business figures in Kazakhstan. He began his career in industry in 2008 and later became the beneficiary of Integra Construction KZ, a major construction group that has grown into one of the country’s leading companies by assets and tax contributions.

    In recent years, Mutalip has expanded his interests into the mining sector and has been linked to several major deals involving strategic assets. These include a potential acquisition of a 70% stake in Kazzinc from Glencore, estimated at up to $4.5 billion, and a possible 40% stake in Eurasian Resources Group (ERG), valued at around $1.4 billion. He has also been associated with interest in other mining assets, including Altynalmas.

    If completed, these transactions could position Mutalip as a major player in Kazakhstan’s non-ferrous and precious metals sector. His business structures, including entities registered in the Astana International Financial Centre, reflect growing ambitions in metallurgy and critical minerals.

    Analysts note that Mutalip has built strong commercial ties between Kazakhstan and Russia, particularly in the context of sanctions, facilitating industrial cooperation and access to financing. His companies are reportedly supported by major Russian banks and maintain relationships with global commodity traders.

    His candidacy for Yuzhuralzoloto is viewed as strategically consistent, given his growing presence in the gold sector and ability to operate across jurisdictions. Market observers suggest that the sale could reflect a broader trend of asset redistribution toward investors capable of maintaining operational continuity amid geopolitical uncertainty.

    The outcome of the auction is expected to be closely watched as an indicator of shifting ownership patterns in the region’s mining industry.

  • Kazakhstan Lawmaker Proposes Unified Disclosure Rules for Subsoil Users

    Kazakhstan Lawmaker Proposes Unified Disclosure Rules for Subsoil Users

    A member of Kazakhstan’s Mazhilis has proposed introducing unified transparency standards for subsoil users, calling for mandatory disclosure of income and production data across the mining and oil and gas sectors.

    Deputy Yerlan Barlybayev, representing the Ak Zhol faction, submitted the proposal to Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, arguing that greater transparency is essential to uphold the constitutional principle that subsoil resources belong to the people.

    The инициативa highlights inconsistencies in disclosure practices among companies operating in the extractive industries. While joint-stock companies are required by law to publish financial statements, many major players in Kazakhstan’s mining and oil and gas sectors operate as limited liability partnerships, whose financial reporting is accessible only to their founders. These include companies such as Tengizchevroil, Kazakhmys Corporation and Kazzinc, as well as entities registered in foreign jurisdictions or within the Astana International Financial Centre.

    According to Barlybayev, this lack of transparency prevents the public from objectively assessing how effectively the country’s natural resources are being utilised. He emphasised that the issue lies not in corporate structure itself, but in the absence of consistent disclosure standards for large subsoil users.

    To address this, the proposal calls for all major extractive companies to provide public reporting aligned with the requirements applied to listed companies under securities market legislation. This would ensure a comparable level of transparency across the sector.

    As a longer-term measure, the deputy also suggested that new entities seeking licences for strategic deposits should be established exclusively as joint-stock companies. While this requirement would not affect existing investors, it is expected to improve transparency and governance standards over time.

    The proposal reflects growing attention to accountability and resource governance in Kazakhstan’s extractive industries.

  • Unpacking Kazakhstan’s $25 Billion Mining and Critical Minerals Revolution

    Unpacking Kazakhstan’s $25 Billion Mining and Critical Minerals Revolution

    On 18 March the US Commercial Service hosted a webinar featuring experts from the Kazakh government and industry. The central message was clear: Kazakhstan is no longer presenting itself simply as a resource-rich country. It is actively seeking to become a more significant destination for investment, processing, industrial partnerships and long-term supply chain co-operation.

    If you are tracking the global energy transition and supply chain security, this is a market that demands your attention. Here are my biggest takeaways from the session:

    A market defined by scale, ambition and strategic importance

    Kazakhstan’s resource base remains one of its greatest strengths. Speakers highlighted that mining and metallurgy continue to play a major role in the national economy, while reforms are being introduced to improve transparency, modernise infrastructure and create a more attractive environment for foreign investors.

    Particular attention was given to coal, mining and critical minerals as sectors with major growth potential. Kazakhstan is pursuing a pragmatic approach to energy development, combining its natural resource base with efforts to attract technology, financing and international partners. For U.S. companies, this is increasingly being framed not only as a commercial opportunity, but also as a chance to help build more resilient allied supply chains.

    The Sheer Scale of the Resource Opportunity

    Kazakhstan holds a formidable position on the global energy map, but it’s the untapped potential that is most striking:

    • Massive Reserves: The country sits on 33 billion tonnes of coal reserves, ranking 8th globally—enough to sustain production for over 300 years.
    • Cost Advantages: Kazakh coal prices hover around $25 to $50 per tonne—a fraction of the cost in other global markets. Furthermore, the cost of geological exploration is incredibly low at just $11 per square kilometre, compared to $167 in Australia and $203 in Canada.
    • The Coal Chemistry Boom: Currently, only 3% of Kazakhstan’s coal is processed. Shifting towards deep processing (synthetic fuels, ammonia, urea, methanol) represents a $25 billion untapped market.

    Modernising the Energy Grid

    As power demand surges—driven by industrialisation and the rise of AI—Kazakhstan is heavily focussed on modernising its infrastructure. The Ministry of Energy plans to introduce 26 gigawatts of new power capacity over the next decade. This includes a near-term plan to add 7.6 GW of new coal-fired capacity, requiring an estimated $16 billion in investment by 2030. The government is actively seeking technological partnerships for carbon capture and storage (CCS) and ultra-supercritical boiler technologies to ensure this growth aligns with clean energy standards.

    Critical minerals are becoming central to the conversation

    One of the most interesting aspects of the discussion was the growing focus on critical minerals and rare earth-related opportunities.

    Kazakhstan is developing a more comprehensive strategy for critical raw materials, with plans to define priority minerals, support processing and encourage higher-value production. The direction of travel is clear: the country wants to move further up the value chain and become more than simply an exporter of raw materials.

    This was particularly relevant in light of the tungsten discussion that followed.

    Resources:

    Looking ahead to 14-16 April: MINEX Kazakhstan Forum in Astana

    The next important date in the calendar is 15 April, when Julie M. Stufft , U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Kazakhstan, will speak at the strategy session on Critical Minerals and Global Strategic Alliances at the 16th MINEX Kazakhstan Forum in Astana.

    Also speaking will be Dominic Heaton Dominic Heaton, CEO of Cove Kaz Capital Group, who will present the Severniy Katpar case study.

    This is especially significant because Severniy Katpar and Verkhnee Kairakty together hold 1.4 million tonnes of tungsten trioxide under JORC standards, representing around 70% of Kazakhstan’s total tungsten reserves. The project involves an estimated $1.1 billion joint venture investment, with potential support from U.S. EXIM and the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation totalling up to $1.6 billion.

    That level of financial and diplomatic backing underlines how strategically important this project could become, not only for Kazakhstan, but also for broader allied efforts to secure critical mineral supply chains.

    Why these matters

    What stood out most from the 18 March webinar was the alignment now emerging between Kazakhstan’s resource ambitions and international demand for secure, diversified supply chains.

    Kazakhstan offers scale, geological potential and a strategic location between major markets. The United States and other partners bring financing, technology and industrial expertise. If those elements come together effectively, the result could be a new phase of co-operation built around mining, processing, infrastructure and critical minerals development.

    For anyone following energy security, industrial policy or strategic resource investment, Kazakhstan is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.

    The webinar made that case convincingly. The 15 April MINEX Forun sessions should offer an important next step in showing how these opportunities may translate into practical projects and partnerships.

  • Qazaq Kalium Plans $2.4 Billion Potash Project in Western Kazakhstan

    Qazaq Kalium Plans $2.4 Billion Potash Project in Western Kazakhstan

    Qazaq Kalium, controlled by businessman Nurlan Artykbayev, is preparing to begin construction of a major potash mining and processing complex in western Kazakhstan, marking a significant step in the development of the country’s fertiliser industry.

    According to a statement of planned activities, the first phase of the mining and processing plant (GOK) will be built at the Satimola deposit in the Akzhayik district of West Kazakhstan region. Construction is expected to begin in April 2026 and last approximately 32 months, with commissioning scheduled for the first quarter of 2029.

    The Satimola deposit, located near the Ural River, holds potassium and boron-bearing salts and was originally discovered in the 1960s. The licence for its development was issued in 2023 for a period of 25 years. Mining operations are currently planned to continue until December 2050, after which a decision will be made on further development or site closure.

    The project  is designed with an annual processing capacity of 8.5 million tonnes of ore and output of up to 2 million tonnes of potassium chloride, including both granular and fine products. In the longer term, Qazaq Kalium aims to establish a larger комплекс capable of processing up to 25 million tonnes of potash ore annually, alongside 1 million tonnes of boron ore, producing fertilisers such as potassium chloride and boric acid.

    The total investment in the project has previously been estimated at approximately $2.4 billion. Infrastructure development will include the construction of railway access, power lines, water supply systems and a gas pipeline, with natural gas expected to be used in processing operations.

    Despite Kazakhstan’s agricultural sector having relatively low fertiliser usage domestically, the project is expected to target export markets, particularly China, where demand for potash remains strong.

    The development of Satimola has been under consideration since the 2010s, attracting interest from both domestic and international investors. The project has also been the subject of corporate disputes in the past before coming under the control of Artykbayev.

    Environmental and social concerns have been raised locally, particularly regarding the potential use of water from the Ural River and proposed extraction methods. However, according to the project documentation, no significant environmental constraints or cultural heritage sites have been identified within the project area.

    Exploration and preparatory works are already underway. As of late 2025, drilling and earthworks had progressed significantly, including the completion of a 490-metre control shaft and ongoing development of key mine shaft structures.

    The Satimola project is expected to position Kazakhstan as a notable player in the global potash market, diversifying its mining sector beyond metals into fertiliser production.

  • Kazatomprom Reports Stable Operations Despite Geopolitical Uncertainty

    Kazatomprom Reports Stable Operations Despite Geopolitical Uncertainty

    Kazakhstan’s national uranium producer Kazatomprom has reported stable operations and financial performance despite ongoing geopolitical tensions, including conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.

    In its financial results for the year ended 31 December, the London-listed company stated that its production, exports and overall business activities remain unaffected. Uranium deliveries continue without disruption via both the Russian Federation and the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, with no restrictions currently impacting shipments to customers.

    However, the company cautioned that broader geopolitical uncertainty and volatility in global capital markets could influence commodity prices and market conditions in the future.

    Chief Executive Officer Meirzhan Yussupov noted that the global nuclear energy sector is entering a more mature phase, with uranium increasingly recognised as a strategic resource within national energy security frameworks. According to him, major consumers are shifting focus from short-term price considerations to securing reliable long-term supply, entering contracts that extend well into the next decade.

    Despite this trend, Kazatomprom indicated that overall contracting activity in 2025 remained below actual demand levels, suggesting continued tightening in the uranium market.

    During the reporting period, the company expanded its international presence, adding Switzerland and the Czech Republic to its customer base, signing a supply agreement with a Japanese utility, and establishing a new long-term partnership with India.

    Kazatomprom also highlighted that the majority of its revenues and financing are denominated in US dollars, which provides a natural hedge against exchange rate fluctuations and supports financial stability.

    The company said it will continue to closely monitor global developments while maintaining operational resilience in a complex geopolitical environment.