Kazakhstan Life & Culture - The Times Of Central Asia

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Geological Exploration

Kazakhstan Attracts Over $150 Million in Geological Exploration Investment in 2025

Investments in geological exploration in Kazakhstan surpassed $150 million during the first nine months of 2025, Deputy Minister of Energy Kayirkhan Tutkyshbaev announced at a recent government meeting. The exploration efforts led to the registration of five new deposits, boosting the country's proven reserves of gold, copper, manganese, and phosphorites. Tutkyshbaev noted that geological exploration projects attracted approximately $285 million in 2023 and $304 million in 2024. “By the end of this year, the volume of investment is expected to be no less than in previous years,” he stated. According to the Ministry of Energy, Kazakhstan currently has 324 active hydrocarbon subsoil use contracts: 15 for exploration, 170 for combined exploration and production, 131 for production, and 8 production sharing agreements (PSAs). Deputy Minister of Industry and Construction Iran Sharhan reported that five deposits, Kok-Zhon, Altyn-Shoko, Samombet, Student, and Takyr-Kaljir, have been newly registered. These discoveries have added an estimated 98 tons of gold, 36,000 tons of copper, 11 million tons of manganese, and 1.3 million tons of phosphorites to the country’s reserves. “To date, 2.1 million square kilometers have been explored, and by the end of the year, this figure will reach 2.3 million,” Sharhan said. He added that the next phase involves more detailed studies to identify promising areas earlier in the exploration process. From 2026 to 2028, the government plans to explore an additional 100,000 square kilometers, followed by 30,000 square kilometers annually. Next year, 44.4 billion tenge (approximately $84 million) is allocated for comprehensive geological and geophysical research, seismic exploration, and the development of industry infrastructure. Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov has directed the construction of a modern geo-laboratory in Astana, scheduled to begin in 2026, to support mineral-geochemical and analytical research. He also ordered the establishment of a National Digital Geological Information Fund, which will consolidate more than 5 million pieces of primary geological data collected over the past 80 years. Currently, 83% of this archive, around 3.8 million records, has been digitized. The digitization rate is expected to reach 97.5% by the end of 2025, with full digital transition projected by the end of 2026. Separately, The Times of Central Asia recently reported that new geological surveys at Kuirektykol, the country’s largest, rare earth metal deposit located in the Karaganda region, have revealed significantly higher reserves than previously estimated.

Sports

Retired Kazakhstani, 66, Finds Calling as Long-Distance Swimmer

Askar Ospanov, a retired police major general in Kazakhstan, decided to become a serious swimmer relatively late in life, around the age of 60. Inspiration came when he was cheering from the sidelines at the 2018 Bosphorus Cross-Continental Swimming Race, an annual event in which about 2,500 people swim 6.5 kilometers from the Asian shore to the European side of Istanbul. Ospanov's eldest son, Galym, himself an accomplished athlete, had completed the crossing in one hour and 18 minutes. A favorable current means many swimmers log fast times across the Bosphorus. “Then, about 30–40 minutes later, everyone on the shore suddenly started buzzing. I thought maybe someone had drowned… or perhaps Erdoğan (the president of Turkey) had arrived. I told my kids, ‘Find out what’s going on, quickly!'” 66-year-old Ospanov said. It turned out that beloved Turkish swimmer Levent Aksüt, then in his late 80s, had just finished. “Everyone stood and applauded his achievement,” said Ospanov, who saw Aksüt as a role model for his new passion. In September, the Kazakhstani swam about 15 kilometers across the Strait of Bonifacio, from the French island of Corsica to the Italian island of Sardinia, in seven hours and 50 minutes. He has competed in international open-water swimming competitions, including OCEANMAN and X-WATERS events, in numerous places at various distances. He has won prizes in the 60+ category in Dubai, Thailand, at Issyk-Kul Lake in Kyrgyzstan and in Kazakhstan, a landlocked country with big lakes and reservoirs. “If someone wants to start swimming after 60, it’s absolutely necessary to do stretching exercises. The arms and legs will gradually loosen up!” Ospanov said. “Since childhood, I played volleyball,” the Almaty resident said. “Then my knees started hurting, and I couldn’t play volleyball at full strength anymore. Doctors said that for the knee joints, you need movement without load… That meant either cycling or swimming. I didn’t feel like buying a bike, so I chose swimming. With each passing year, swimming gave me more and more strength. Gradually, the results started coming.” Swimming coach Evgeny Alexandrov, who has been awarded the prestigious Master of Sport of International Class title by Kazakhstan’s government, has worked with Ospanov for several years. The coach described his student as tough, punctual, and responsible. However, Alexandrov said, “turning him into an ideal swimmer quickly isn’t possible due to age-related limitations and some acquired health issues,” including knee pain and a right arm weakened by years of playing volleyball, which meant he only breathed on his left side in the pool. “When he was learning to swim, he couldn’t breathe every three strokes — he only inhaled on his left side, resulting in an asymmetrical freestyle stroke with excessive body roll. In open water, if the sun and waves are on the left, it becomes difficult for Askar,” the 44-year-old coach said. Ospanov had that problem to some extent in the Strait of Bonifacio, where proper alignment in the water can offset the challenges of wind, waves and current. “At his...

Roads

Kazakhstan Develops Technology to “Revive” Worn Asphalt

Scientists at the Kazakh Road Research Institute (KazdorNII) are developing a technology that restores worn asphalt for reuse in highway repair and construction. According to the institute, the project involves the creation of an innovative restorative compound. Experts say that the regeneration process could significantly reduce construction waste, lower energy consumption, and cut CO₂ emissions during asphalt production. This model supports more sustainable road construction by giving materials a “second life.” “We are developing solutions that allow existing resources to be restored instead of consuming new ones. This will not only reduce the burden on the environment but also make the road industry more efficient and technologically advanced,” said Saltanat Ashimova, head of the department of road construction materials and new technologies at the institute. The initiative is part of a grant awarded through a competition for scientific and technical projects for 2025-2027. The research is focused on integrating green technologies into road construction. The institute expects the new compound to be environmentally friendly, produced domestically, and adapted to Kazakhstan’s climate and road conditions. Its use is expected to improve road surface durability and quality, while supporting the country’s shift toward a sustainable economy. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, severe road surface deformations were recorded across inter-city highways in Kazakhstan this summer amid extreme heat.

Longevity

Central Asia’s Longevity Boom: More People Living Past 100

The number of people living beyond 100 continues to rise across Central Asia. Experts attribute the trend to better medical care, declining infant mortality rates, and overall improvements in living standards. However, the distribution of centenarians across the region remains uneven. Tajikistan: A Steady Increase According to the Social Insurance and Pension Agency, 415 citizens over the age of 100 are currently registered in Tajikistan. The country’s average life expectancy has reached 76.6 years. Among Tajikistan’s oldest residents are 120-year-old Marziyamoh Ibodova from Darvaz and 117-year-old Gulrakhat Nazarova from Dangara. Experts say rising life expectancy is closely linked to economic progress, advances in cardiovascular treatment, and improved access to healthcare. Uzbekistan: A Record-Breaking Claim Uzbekistan leads the region with 514 centenarians as of January 1, 2024, comprising 404 women and 110 men. The highest concentration is in the Kashkadarya Region, which is home to 92. One extraordinary case has drawn global attention. Khuvaydo Umarova (Toshmatova), a resident of Karakum mahalla in the Buvayda District, was officially recognized by Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Justice in September 2025 as having turned 130. [caption id="attachment_39103" align="aligncenter" width="680"] Khuvaydo Umarova; image: Uzbekistan Ministry of Justice[/caption] Born on January 1, 1895, her birth had gone unregistered for decades. Following verification of her documents, Khuvaydo-mum is now slated for entry into the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s oldest living person. Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan: Moderate Numbers Kazakhstan’s oldest known resident is a 115-year-old woman from the Ulytau Region. Most of the country’s centenarians live in Almaty (58), followed by the Turkestan Region (53) and the Almaty Region (37). In Kyrgyzstan, Deputy Health Minister Bubuzhan Arykbaeva reports approximately 300 citizens over 100 years old. This places the country fourth in Central Asia in terms of centenarian population. A Global Phenomenon Globally, an estimated 630,000 people are over the age of 100, according to recent United Nations data. Japan tops the list, accounting for one in five of the world’s centenarians. Life expectancy in Japan is 88 years for women and 82 for men, followed by the United States, China, and India. Doctors emphasize that longevity is often the result of consistent habits: regular physical activity like walking, sufficient sleep, a balanced diet, and routine medical check-ups. Avoiding smoking and alcohol is equally critical. Genetics also play a significant role, those with long-lived relatives have a higher chance of living to an advanced age.

Higher Education

InnoTech University to Launch in Almaty with Arizona State University Support

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Science and Higher Education and Q Group have signed an agreement with Arizona State University (U.S.) to establish the University of Innovation and Technology powered by Arizona State University (InnoTech) in Almaty. According to the ministry, the creation of InnoTech aligns with Kazakhstan’s broader strategy to enhance international educational partnerships and foster the development of innovative technologies. The university is set to become a world-class platform offering academic mobility, scientific collaboration, and practice-oriented training in engineering, IT, entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence, and sustainable development. A distinctive feature of InnoTech will be its dual-degree offering: graduates will receive both a Kazakh diploma and an American degree from Arizona State University. This model is intended to boost the global competitiveness of Kazakh students in the international job market. Undergraduate and graduate programs are expected to begin in 2026, with preparations already underway for the construction of a modern campus in Almaty. [caption id="attachment_39097" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Image: gov.kz[/caption] In related news, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Arizona State University, and Mukhtar Auezov South Kazakhstan University have signed a memorandum of cooperation to promote academic collaboration. The agreement covers the implementation of internationally recognized educational programs, joint research initiatives, and expanded academic mobility for students and faculty of the Kazakh university. As part of the new collaboration, students enrolled in a dual-degree program will study for three years in Kazakhstan and one year at Arizona State University in the U.S., earning degrees in Computer Science/Informatics from both institutions. Additionally, for the first time in Kazakhstan, an Honors College will be established with Arizona State University’s support. The college will offer enriched academic programs for high-achieving students, including research opportunities and leadership development.

Tennis

Kazakhstan’s Bublik Wraps Best Season as Alternate at ATP Finals

Alexander Bublik’s stellar season isn’t quite over. The Russia-born player from Kazakhstan, ranked 11 in the world, is an alternate at the ATP Finals in Turin, Italy this week. Bublik is enjoying himself in Turin, leaving Carlos Alcaraz flat-footed with a spinny underhand serve during a training session with the Spaniard. “Who said practice can’t be fun?!” the Kazakhstani said on Instagram. As first alternate, 28-year-old Bublik could play matches if any of the eight players at the elite event gets injured during the round robin stage. Whatever happens, he has enjoyed his best year as a tennis professional. He won four tour titles in 2025, for a total of eight during his career. He reached the quarterfinals at the French Open this year, falling to world No. 1 Jannik Sinner. It was Bublik’s deepest run at a major tournament and came after a ranking as low as 82 earlier in the year. He also reached his first Masters 1000 semifinal with a three-set win over Alex de Minaur in Paris on October 31. “Honestly I always say that wins don’t make me go through the roof and losses don’t put me to the ground,” Bublik said this year, according to the ATP. “I try to stay stable. I enjoy what I do. I’m happy that I’m able to travel, play tournaments and stay healthy, and the wins are coming… That’s beautiful.” On the women’s side, Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan defeated world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka on Saturday to win the WTA finals for the first time, collecting a record $5.23 million in prize money and 1,500 ranking points.