Kazakhstan is establishing GeoLab Eurasia, the first internationally certified full-cycle geological laboratory in Central Asia. Located in Almaty, the facility will provide high-precision analysis of ore composition and quality in accordance with internationally recognized standards, including NI 43-101, JORC, and ISO/IEC 17025.
The creation of this domestic laboratory marks a strategic move to improve the accuracy and credibility of Kazakhstan’s mineral reserve assessments, enhance investor confidence, and reduce reliance on foreign laboratories. GeoLab Eurasia is expected to streamline the mineral certification process and boost the country’s competitiveness in global geological markets.
International Collaboration and Scientific Sovereignty
The project is being implemented through a tripartite partnership involving the Satpayev Institute of Geological Sciences, Kazakhstan’s Kepler Group, and Chinese firm Eurasia Mineral Standard, which serves as the project’s strategic investor. Founding documents were signed in Almaty on July 23.
Askar Syzdykov, Director of the Satpayev Institute, emphasized the broader impact of the initiative:
“We view this project as a long-term platform not only for rock and core analysis, but also for joint training programs and the exchange of best international practices. This marks a historic moment where science, technology, and Kazakhstan’s development strategy converge.”
Sultan Kinzhekulov, Deputy Chairman of the Investment Committee under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, underscored the strategic value of the initiative:
“GeoLab Eurasia represents a new level of Kazakhstan’s industrial and scientific sovereignty. Projects like this are crucial not only economically, but also in positioning Kazakhstan as a reliable player in global critical mineral supply chains.”
Infrastructure and Timeline
GeoLab Eurasia will consist of two main components: a laboratory and educational center housed at the Geological Institute in Almaty, and an industrial hub outside the city that will include sample preparation lines and core storage facilities. The laboratory is expected to open in October 2025, with the industrial complex slated for launch in the first quarter of 2026.
Once operational, GeoLab Eurasia will serve as a regional center for geological research and mineral certification. The facility is positioned to elevate Kazakhstan’s technological and scientific capabilities in geology and to strengthen its standing in the global market for strategic mineral resources.
