Geological Exploration - The Times Of Central Asia

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Geological Exploration

Kazakhstan Makes Its Biggest Bet on Geological Exploration in Decades

Kazakhstan is embarking on its most ambitious geological exploration program in over 15 years. Over the next three years, the government plans to invest more than $470 million in the study of mineral resources, a figure that surpasses the total investment in the sector over the previous decade and a half. According to the government, a central element of this strategy is the shift toward more detailed mapping of mineral resources, aligned with international standards. In 2025, new-generation geological survey projects were launched, covering an area of approximately 100,000 square kilometers. These territories will later be divided into the most promising sites for in-depth exploration and analysis. This initiative is not merely a budgetary expansion but a long-term effort to lay the foundation for Kazakhstan’s future resource base. Detailed mapping helps reduce geological uncertainty and significantly influences private investors’ readiness to commit to early-stage projects. The total funding, set at $470 million, will cover a range of activities, including geological surveys, seismic studies in underexplored sedimentary basins, and the development of modern geological infrastructure. For context, total investment in Kazakhstan’s geological exploration from 2010 to 2025 amounted to $469 million. The program incorporates remote sensing, aero geophysical and geochemical studies, and large-scale fieldwork. In identifying high-potential sites, authorities considered factors such as reserve depletion, low activity by current subsoil users, and the strategic value of specific minerals. The government has highlighted regions with strong potential for copper, gold, lead, zinc, rare earth elements, barite, and bauxite. A dedicated portion of the program will focus on seismic exploration in the largely understudied oil and gas basins in the north and south of the country. Plans also include modernizing laboratory and analytical capabilities and digitizing geological data. The shift to high-resolution mapping, already standard practice in countries such as Canada, Australia, and EU member states, is expected to improve forecasting accuracy and reduce investment risks. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan has emerged as a global leader in proven reserves of rare earth metals, driving renewed interest from international companies in the country’s expanding geological exploration sector.

Geological Exploration

Kazakhstan’s New Subsoil Law Opens Underexplored Territories to Investors

Kazakhstan has introduced a new subsoil use law aimed at unlocking the potential of underexplored areas and attracting increased investment in the energy sector. According to the Ministry of Energy, the legislation establishes a special contract type for exploration and production in previously underexplored territories, offering significantly enhanced terms for investors. Under the new framework, companies that independently finance geological exploration will be granted priority rights for subsequent subsurface use. The Ministry expects this provision to dramatically boost geological activity and accelerate the discovery and development of new hydrocarbon reserves. The legislative amendments also streamline operational procedures. Subsoil users are now permitted to conduct additional exploration at depths beyond 5,000 meters under existing production contracts, without altering the surface boundaries. This change enables faster exploration of deep reserves while reducing bureaucratic delays. Officials say the updated legal framework is designed to improve Kazakhstan’s investment climate and provide new incentives for capital inflow into the extractive industries. According to The Times of Central Asia, investment in geological exploration exceeded $150 million in the first nine months of 2025, following $285 million in 2023 and $304 million in 2024. As of now, Kazakhstan has 324 active hydrocarbon subsoil use contracts, including 15 for exploration, 170 for combined exploration and production, 131 for production, and 8 production sharing agreements (PSAs), according to the Ministry of Energy.

Geological Exploration

Kazakhstan Opens World-Class Geological Cluster in Zhezkazgan

Kazakhstan has inaugurated its first integrated geological cluster, positioning the country as a regional hub for cutting-edge mineral exploration. The Kazakhmys Geological Cluster, launched on November 21 in Zhezkazgan, the center of the nation’s geological industry, is the first facility of its kind in both Kazakhstan and Central Asia. The cluster brings together all major geological exploration processes on a single site, supported by equipment found in only seven comparable centers globally. The new facility features a training center and a state-of-the-art laboratory complex, enabling rapid geological analysis. It also houses Kazakhstan’s largest core storage facility, which will serve as the national archive of primary geological data. Kazakhmys Corporation, one of the country’s leading mining companies, invested approximately 11 billion tenge into the project. “We are launching infrastructure that makes Kazakhstan’s geological sector more precise, faster, and technologically advanced. From primary data storage and laboratory research to digital analysis and professional training, everything is integrated into one platform. This new level will ensure the sustainable development of the country’s mineral resource base,” said Nurakhmet Nuriyev, Chairman of the Board of Kazakhmys Corporation, during the opening ceremony. The cluster is expected to advance the digitalization of Kazakhstan’s geological industry, enhance research capacity, and elevate the quality of mineral exploration nationwide. As part of a broader vision, a new higher education institution, Ulytau University, will be established on the cluster grounds. The university will be developed in partnership with the Colorado School of Mines, one of the world’s top mining institutions. It will train specialists in geology, mineral engineering, and related disciplines. A memorandum on the establishment of Ulytau University was signed between the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Kazakhstan and Kazakhmys Corporation. The Colorado School of Mines is expected to open its first international campus at the new university in Zhezkazgan, offering instruction in English and launching four core bachelor’s programs: Mining; Geology and Geological Exploration; Geophysical Engineering; and Petroleum Engineering.

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.

Mining

Kyrgyzstan Sees Growth in Mining Output Despite Fewer Licensed Operators

Kyrgyzstan recorded a notable increase in the extraction of gold, silver, coal, and natural gas in the first half of 2025, even as the number of companies operating in the sector declined, according to data from the Kyrgyz Geological Service. Compared to the first six months of 2024, the country produced an additional 700 kg of gold and 1.1 million m³ more natural gas in 2025. Silver and coal production also rose significantly. However, the sector is seeing a consolidation. A total of 199 production licenses were revoked in the first half of 2025, while only 15 new licenses were issued, down from 26 over the same period last year. Government officials noted that many license holders had not initiated development, and their permits were reallocated to other operators upon expiration. Increased Output and Revenue The state resource balance in the first half of 2025 was as follows: Regular gold: 5.8 tons Placer gold: up from 28.3 kg to 57 kg Silver: up from 198 kg to 3.8 tons Coal: up from 3.1 million to 4.4 million tons Tax and non-tax revenues increased from 17.9 billion KGS ($205.2 million) to 27.8 billion KGS ($318.5 million). Industrial production reached 30.7 billion KGS ($352 million), marking a rise of nearly 3 billion KGS ($34.4 million). Risks to Construction Resources At the same time, reserves of marble, sand, and gravel have declined due to high demand from the construction sector. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, the ongoing construction boom is driving aggressive extraction of these materials, hastening depletion. Balancing Growth and Sustainability While the increase in mineral production and revenue contributes positively to Kyrgyzstan’s GDP and reflects the benefits of a streamlined licensing policy, the report emphasizes the importance of sustainable resource management. With continued pressure from the construction and energy sectors, experts caution that long-term planning is crucial to avoid overexploitation of finite resources.

Rare Earth Metals

Kazakhstan’s Rare Earth Reserves Surpass Projections Following New Geological Surveys

Geological exploration at Kazakhstan’s largest rare earth metal deposit, Kuirektykol, in the Karaganda region, has revealed significantly higher reserves than previously estimated. The latest data suggests that the site holds 28.2 million tons of commercially viable rare earth elements, up from an initial estimate of 20 million tons. Exploration work began in 2022, and by November 2024, geologists had already confirmed significant concentrations of cerium and other lanthanides across four key zones at depths of up to 300 meters. Regional Potential Expands Alibek Aldeney, Deputy Akim of the Karaganda region, said that the surveys also revealed new prospective sites for gold, copper, and tungsten. “Foreign companies are already conducting surveys. This will allow us to expand our mineral resource base and create new production facilities for processing rare earth and precious metals,” Aldeney said. Industry experts have long maintained that Kazakhstan holds the potential to ensure stable supplies of critical minerals amid rising global demand. Strategic Priorities and Government Support In August, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov convened a meeting to discuss the development of Kazakhstan’s rare earth sector. He emphasized the need to modernize production, adopt advanced technologies, and increase scientific research. According to the Ministry of Industry, rare and rare earth metals currently account for 2.4% of the country's metallurgical sector. Since 2018, the government has invested KZT 67 billion (approximately $124 million) in the industry. Kazakhstan is currently exploring 25 promising rare earth sites across a combined area of 100,000 square kilometers. In 2024 alone, 38 new deposits of solid minerals were identified. Production of beryllium, tantalum, niobium, scandium, titanium, rhenium, and osmium is already underway, along with the extraction of associated elements such as bismuth, antimony, selenium, and tellurium. Future Outlook and Strategic Concerns There are emerging industrial opportunities include the production and recycling of battery materials, heat-resistant alloys, semiconductors, and permanent magnets. However, as The Times of Central Asia previously reported, with the sector’s strategic value increasing, members of parliament have called for tighter regulation of rare earth exports to safeguard national interests.