MINEX Forum

Website: Kazakhstan.com

  • Казахстан расширяет геологоразведку и увеличивает запасы ресурсов в 2024 году

    Казахстан расширяет геологоразведку и увеличивает запасы ресурсов в 2024 году

    Министерство промышленности и строительства Казахстана подвело итоги и планы по развитию геологической отрасли. В 2024 году на государственный баланс уже поставлено 17 месторождений твердых полезных ископаемых и шесть месторождений углеводородов. Запасы включают золото (107,5 тонн), серебро (1900 тонн), медь (4,9 млн тонн), железную руду (128 млн тонн), а также цинк, свинец, вольфрам, молибден и марганец. Ресурсы хрома составили 464,1 тыс. тонн.

    До конца 2026 года Казахстан инвестирует более 20 млрд тенге из госбюджета в геологоразведочные работы, увеличивая площадь геологической изученности с 1,5 до 2,2 млн квадратных километров. Министерство выделило 60 перспективных участков для дальнейших исследований, включая редкие и редкоземельные металлы.

    Особое внимание уделяется объекту Куйректыколь с предварительными запасами 800 тыс. тонн. Эти шаги укрепляют позиции Казахстана как важного игрока на международной арене в области добычи и переработки природных ресурсов.

  • Kazakhstan Expands Geological Exploration and Resource Discoveries in 2024

    Kazakhstan Expands Geological Exploration and Resource Discoveries in 2024

    Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Industry and Construction has highlighted a productive year in geological exploration, adding 17 deposits of solid minerals and six hydrocarbon fields to the national resource balance. Among the key findings are substantial reserves of gold (107.5 tons), silver (1,900 tons), copper (4.9 million tons), and iron ore (128 million tons). The year also saw reserves of tungsten, molybdenum, manganese, zinc, and lead significantly boosted, while chromium resources were documented at 464.1 thousand tons.

    Six newly identified hydrocarbon fields brought an estimated 1,776.5 million cubic meters of natural gas to the national inventory. However, the ministry did not specify the time frame for these discoveries. Looking ahead, over 20 billion tenge will be allocated for geological research between 2024 and 2026, with the goal of increasing Kazakhstan’s explored area from 1.5 million to 2.2 million square kilometers.

    Efforts are underway to study 60 promising locations for noble, ferrous, and non-ferrous metals, with a special focus on rare and rare-earth elements. Among these, the Kuyrektykol deposit stands out, with preliminary estimates indicating 800,000 tons of reserves. These developments underscore the country’s commitment to bolstering its mining sector and ensuring a robust resource base for future economic growth.

  • Resolutions for Mining Companies in 2025: Lessons from 2024 Challenges

    Resolutions for Mining Companies in 2025: Lessons from 2024 Challenges

    As 2024 concludes, mining expert Timothy Foden reflects on the year’s recurring challenges, emphasizing the heightened sovereign risks mining companies face globally. From resource nationalism in Mexico and Burkina Faso to the geopolitical instability of Africa’s Coup Belt, mining firms must navigate complex environments. Foden advises companies to safeguard investments by maintaining licenses, documenting interactions with officials, and structuring agreements for international arbitration. Additionally, he highlights the critical need to work with proven legal experts who can secure favorable outcomes in disputes with sovereign nations.

  • Martin Engineering Expands Operations to Central Asia

    Martin Engineering Expands Operations to Central Asia

    Martin Engineering has announced the establishment of a new regional hub in Kazakhstan, aiming to provide its full range of products and services to the rapidly expanding mining sector across Central Asia.

    Kazakhstan, the world’s ninth-largest country by land area, boasts a rich and diverse geology filled with valuable metal ores and mineral resources. The mining and minerals production industry plays an increasingly pivotal role in the nation’s economy, with most materials being exported.

    Building on its previous successes in Kazakhstan, Martin Engineering decided to solidify its presence by forming a dedicated business unit. Notably, the company has already delivered innovative conveyor belt cleaning solutions to one of Kazakhstan’s largest copper producers, significantly enhancing plant efficiency and productivity.

    The new venture will be overseen by General Manager Oleg Glukhov, who has been with the company for seven years. Glukhov emphasized Martin Engineering’s readiness to support Kazakhstan’s leading mineral processing firms in improving operational performance and safety.

    “Kazakhstan is one of the world’s key sources of metals and industrial minerals,” Glukhov stated. “Processing materials safely, efficiently, and profitably is important, and that’s where Martin Engineering comes in.”

  • Kazakhstan Intensifies Search for Rare Earth Metals

    Kazakhstan Intensifies Search for Rare Earth Metals

    Kazakhstan continues exploration efforts across 12 sites as part of a government initiative to study mineral resources and boost the development of the rare earth metals sector.

    According to Kanat Sharlapayev, the Kuyrektikol site in the Karaganda region has shown significant promise, with reserves estimated at approximately 800,000 tons and forecasted resources reaching 935,400 tons of rare earth metals, including cerium and lanthanoids.

    Private companies like Cove Capital and HMS Bergbau are spearheading these exploration activities. Sharlapayev noted that the Ministry of Industry is actively working to declassify reserve data, excluding osmium and rhenium, to attract investment and enhance the sector’s development potential. This initiative is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.

    Currently, Kazakhstan boasts 15 rare earth deposits, 11 of which are under subsoil use agreements. Key deposits include Melovoye, Tomak, Taybogar, Tasmuryn, Kundybay, Akbulakskoye, Dzhamschi, Moynkum, Inkay, Akdala, Kanjugan, Mynkuduk, and Budenovskoye.

  • Kazakhstan’s Mineral Reserves Expected to Last Up to 40 Years

    Kazakhstan’s Mineral Reserves Expected to Last Up to 40 Years

    Kazakhstan’s mineral reserves are projected to last for 20 to 40 years, depending on the resource, according to Akbarov, head of the country’s Geological Committee. During a briefing at the Central Communications Service, Akbarov noted that while the situation for many resources is stable, with an average reserve life of 20 years, some deposits face significant geological and technical challenges.

    Key resources such as gold are estimated to last for 20 years, while copper reserves may sustain production for up to 40 years. However, certain deposits are nearing depletion, with reserves sufficient for only 5 to 10 years.

    To address this, Kazakhstan is intensifying efforts in geological exploration. Starting next year, the country will transition from a 1:200,000 scale to a more detailed 1:500,000 scale for geological mapping. This shift aims to identify hidden and geologically complex deposits, enhancing the mineral resource base. Akbarov emphasized that these initiatives could significantly boost the efficiency of exploration and replenish Kazakhstan’s mineral reserves.

  • Kazakhstan Reaffirms Commitment to EITI Standards and Modernizes Mining Sector

    Kazakhstan Reaffirms Commitment to EITI Standards and Modernizes Mining Sector

    During a discussion, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized Kazakhstan’s dedication to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) since joining the organization in 2007. He noted that Kazakhstan has legislatively mandated subsoil users to comply with the organization’s standards, including reporting on taxes and other payments to the national budget.

    President Tokayev informed the head of EITI, Helen Clark, about regulatory measures aimed at enhancing the country’s geological exploration and mining industries. Key initiatives include the adoption of a Comprehensive Development Plan, the launch of a Unified Subsoil Use Platform featuring an interactive map and access to more than 50,000 geological reports, and streamlined processes for obtaining exploration and production licenses.

    In response, Helen Clark shared the strategic priorities of EITI for the coming period and praised Kazakhstan’s efforts to improve legislation in line with transparency standards for the extractive sector.

  • Kazakhstan Considers New Royalty-Based Tax Model for Mining Sector

    Kazakhstan Considers New Royalty-Based Tax Model for Mining Sector

    Kazakhstan plans to transition from its current mineral extraction tax to a royalty-based system, calculated on the sale value of mineral raw materials. Minister of Industry Kanat Sharlapayev believes this will enhance transparency and attract foreign investors. The new model aims to incentivize domestic processing by imposing lower taxes on minerals processed locally compared to those exported raw. The proposal is set to be included in the 2026 Tax Code. Additionally, the minister emphasized boosting geology research as a fundamental science, advocating increased state funding.

  • East Star Resources Announces Significant Progress on Copper Exploration in Kazakhstan

    East Star Resources Announces Significant Progress on Copper Exploration in Kazakhstan

    East Star Resources Plc (LSE: EST), a company focused on copper exploration in Kazakhstan, has shared promising updates from its exploration strategy at the Snowy licence. The project, located on the Paleozoic Balkash-Ili volcanic arc, received initial funding through a US$500,000 BHP Xplor grant.

    Recent soil sampling efforts have revealed two significant anomalies. The first is a 5 km by 1 km gold anomaly aligned with the alteration patterns observed in multispectral imagery and situated near an artisanal gold mine. The second anomaly spans 2 km by 2 km and exhibits strong molybdenum (Mo) and bismuth (Bi) signals, exceeding thresholds by over 10 times for Mo and 100 times for Bi, indicative of potential porphyry systems.

    Chris van Wijk, East Star’s Technical Director, remarked, “The geochemical results align with regions known for hydrothermal activity, strengthening the case for further exploration. These findings showcase the value of integrating multispectral imaging and soil geochemistry in mineral exploration.”

    The next steps include field verification and geological mapping to identify mineralisation characteristics. If supportive data is obtained, the company plans to proceed with Induced Polarity (IP) surveys to target disseminated sulphides.

    During the 2024 field season, East Star collected 1,469 soil samples, revealing two targets, the Central Target and East Target. The Central Target displayed anomalies in Mo and Bi, consistent with porphyry systems. The East Target showed elevated gold and silver levels, aligning with epithermal vein systems observed in nearby artisanal operations.

    Systematic soil geochemistry, combined with multispectral analysis using ASTER data, has been pivotal in refining exploration areas. The analysis highlighted silica lithocaps with distinct geochemical signatures, further substantiating their potential.

    East Star’s strategy underscores its commitment to leveraging advanced techniques in uncovering mineral resources in Kazakhstan, paving the way for future exploration milestones.

  • Canadian Investor Completes Field Studies Near Ekibastuz, Plans Drilling Campaign

    Canadian Investor Completes Field Studies Near Ekibastuz, Plans Drilling Campaign

    A Canadian investor has concluded field studies on prospective sites near Ekibastuz and plans to begin exploration drilling in early 2025, reports Kursiv.

    Arras Minerals, which has been exploring copper and gold deposits in Kazakhstan for several years, is focusing on areas in the Pavlodar region. In 2023, the company surveyed blocks spanning 1,700 km², collecting 35,000 samples. These exploration efforts are concentrated near existing Arras Minerals projects, including Beskauga, Tau, and Elemess.

    The primary site, covering 1,300 km², lies adjacent to the Bozshakol copper mine operated by KAZ Minerals, located 56 km northwest of Ekibastuz. A secondary site, situated 90 km southeast of the city, has been divided into the Norgubekand Akkuduk projects.

    Arras Minerals plans to continue drilling operations in 2025. The company holds the third-largest license portfolio for copper and gold exploration in Kazakhstan, following major international players Rio Tinto and Fortescue.

    Meanwhile, another major project in the Pavlodar region is underway. By the end of 2026, Fonet Er-Tai Mining aims to launch a hydrometallurgical plant capable of producing up to 5,000 tons of cathode copper annually, further boosting the region’s metallurgical industry.