The Central Asian country plans to invest in geological exploration over the next three years at a level equal to what it spent in the past 15 years combined.
Resource-rich Kazakhstan aims to expand the production of critical raw materials and establish itself as a major player in this sector. To achieve this goal, the government has announced a significant expansion of geological exploration: nearly $470 million will be invested in surveying mineral resources over the next three years, matching the total exploration spending of the past 15 years.
Regions with high potential for copper, gold, lead, zinc, rare earth elements, barite, and bauxite have already been identified. Advanced studies will include analysis of satellite data, among other methods. The government also aims to produce geological maps covering approximately 100,000 square kilometers, four times more detailed than those from the Soviet era, and to develop modern geological infrastructure.
These initiatives are expected to attract increased private investment into the mining sector. In the past five years, approximately $1 billion in private funds have already flowed into the industry, highlighting growing international interest in Kazakhstan’s resource potential.
Photo: iStock/freedarst