Minerals - The Times Of Central Asia

Viewing results 1 - 6 of 16

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.

chemical industry

Uzbekistan Plans Chemical Sector Expansion as Cotton Output Target Set at 4.5 Million Tons

On December 3, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed proposals to expand production, increase exports, and reduce costs in Uzbekistan’s chemical industry, according to a statement from the presidential press service. The government aims to double the size of the chemical sector by 2030, increase mineral fertilizer production by 1.5 times, and boost annual exports to $1 billion. Currently, 21 major projects worth $1 billion are underway, with an additional $4.5 billion in investments planned over the next three years. Officials noted that many of Uzbekistan’s large chemical plants still rely on outdated equipment, resulting in high energy consumption and limited competitiveness. For instance, energy costs account for up to 55% of the production price of nitrogen fertilizers. The introduction of energy-efficient technologies and expanded digital management systems was emphasized as a key strategy to reduce production costs across the sector. Despite strong global demand for chemical products and favorable logistics in neighboring markets, where potential demand is estimated at $1 billion, Uzbekistan has yet to fully tap into these opportunities. Officials proposed increasing domestic raw material processing to develop new products and at least double current export volumes. In 2025, new production lines for “green” mineral fertilizers, cyanide salts, potassium xanthate, and potassium sulfate began operating in the Tashkent, Navoi, and Jizzakh regions. In parallel, the government has set a target to produce 4.5 million tons of cotton next year. To support this goal, authorities have instructed officials to build strategic reserves of phosphorus fertilizers, maintain steady supplies of sulfuric acid to manufacturers, and begin issuing preferential loans to farmers for fertilizer purchases as soon as possible. Mirziyoyev underscored the chemical industry’s strategic role in the national economy, directing officials to ensure reliable domestic supply, enhance export capacity, and create new jobs in the sector. Uzbekistan’s textile industry has also experienced rapid growth. Since 2017, cotton yarn production has more than doubled, knitted fabric output has increased significantly, and garment manufacturing has expanded from under 1 billion units to over 3 billion. As a result, textile exports have risen from approximately $1.1 billion in 2016 to an estimated $2.8 billion in 2024.

Natural resources

Kyrgyzstan Expands Mineral Reserves Amid New Exploration Drive

Kyrgyzstan now boasts over 1,000 deposits of 51 different types of minerals, including precious, base, and rare earth metals, as well as coal and hydrocarbons, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision. Among the most prominent is the Kumtor gold mine, situated at an altitude of 4,000 meters in the Issyk-Kul region. Kumtor ranks among the world’s ten largest gold deposits and remains a cornerstone of the national mining sector. Approximately 400 deposits across the country are currently under development or active exploration, while operations at around 600 sites have been suspended pending reserve reassessments and upgrades to mining technologies. The mining sector is considered a strategic priority for Kyrgyzstan’s economy. After years of limited geological activity, the government allocated 1 billion soms in 2024 to Kyrgyzgeology for equipment modernization and intensified exploration of polymetals and rare earth elements. Between January and September 2025, the industry recorded stable growth in both output and reserves. As of January 1, 2025, Kyrgyzstan’s confirmed reserves included 973 tons of gold, 1,100 tons of silver, and 960,400 tons of copper, along with significant quantities of other minerals. Recent exploration efforts yielded an additional 5.8 tons of gold, 3.7 tons of silver, and substantial volumes of non-ferrous metals, coal, and construction materials. In the first nine months of 2025, Kyrgyzstan produced 17 tons of gold, 198,000 tons of oil, 18.9 million cubic meters of gas, and 2.3 million tons of coal. To support industry growth, the government conducted 26 auctions for subsoil use rights, generating $1.6 million in revenue. As of September 2025, a total of 2,005 mining licenses had been issued, including 103 granted to state-owned enterprises.

Minerals

Kyrgyz State Mining Company Kyrgyzaltyn Doubles Authorized Capital Through Dividend Recapitalization

The Kyrgyz state mining company Kyrgyzaltyn, which holds most of the country’s mineral deposits, has doubled its authorized capital by converting owed dividends into equity. According to local media reports citing the Kyrgyz Stock Exchange, Kyrgyzaltyn increased its authorized capital by 5.2 billion soms ($59.6 million) through dividends that were due to the State Agency for State Property Management and the Ministry of Finance. As a result, the company's authorized capital now stands at 9.5 billion soms ($109 million). The company has issued 52,000 shares with a nominal value of 100 soms ($1.2) each, to be allocated among employees of the Ministry of Finance and the State Property Fund. “The shares will be issued in book-entry form and will be paid for from dividends payable on the state-owned stake, as well as the balance from previous issues,” Kyrgyzaltyn said in a statement. The deadline for placing the shares is December 31, 2025. This marks Kyrgyzaltyn’s second capital increase this year. In April 2025, the company issued 768,000 ordinary shares, raising its authorized capital by 77 million soms ($883,000) through a full primary market placement. Kyrgyzaltyn also reported record-breaking profits in the first half of 2025. The company posted a net profit of 17 billion soms ($195 million), five times higher than during the same period last year. “Today, the Kyrgyz Cabinet is the main investor in state-owned companies. The state is constantly recapitalizing these firms to increase their market value and efficiency,” said Medet Nazaraliev, former director of the Kyrgyz Stock Exchange, in an interview with The Times of Central Asia. According to Nazaraliev, recapitalization enhances operational efficiency, facilitates the adoption of new technologies, and supports the launch of new business processes. “The company’s share capital increases, and the state's investment sends a positive signal to other investors,” he said. “Investors observe improving financial stability and growing capital bases. This, combined with visible state support, makes the company an attractive investment,” Nazaraliev added. He noted that recapitalization could signal the company’s intent to expand or initiate major new projects. Earlier this year, Kyrgyzaltyn launched pilot production of titanomagnetite near Balykchy in the Issyk-Kul region. The deposit holds an estimated 20 million tons of reserves, with experts valuing the total mineral content at approximately $1 billion.

Geology

Kazakhstan to Launch First International Full-Cycle Geo-Laboratory in Almaty

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.

Mining

Kazakhstan Begins Mineral Exploration in Afghanistan’s Nuristan Province

Kazakhstani geologists have begun prospecting potential mining sites in Afghanistan, starting with the resource-rich Nuristan Province. The initiative reflects Kazakhstan’s broader efforts to expand its mining interests and strengthen economic ties with Afghanistan. In mid-April, a group of geologists and engineers from Kazakhstan traveled to Afghanistan, according to the Ministry of National Economy. During their visit, specialists collected 130 kilograms of ore samples from prospective deposits in Nuristan Province, targeting beryllium, lead, and zinc resources. The samples will now be sent to Kazakhstan for laboratory analysis. Depending on the results, Kazakhstan may move to a more in-depth phase of negotiations regarding the development of these deposits. Nuristan Province is located along the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan, south of the Hindu Kush mountain range, with its administrative center in the city of Parun. Mining activity in the province has historically focused on artisanal extraction of precious and semi-precious stones, including varieties of beryl. At least 55 gemstone deposits are known to exist in the region, featuring lazurite, cordierite, ruby, kunzite, emerald, and danburite. However, industrial-scale mining of lead and zinc has not previously been developed in the area. Kazakhstan’s geological exploration in Afghanistan will not be limited to Nuristan. During a meeting in Kabul between Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin and Afghanistan’s Minister of Mines and Petroleum Hedayatullah Badri, it was agreed that another team of Kazakhstani specialists would travel to Afghanistan at the end of May. The Afghan side also expressed readiness to share information about confirmed mineral reserves that could be of interest to Kazakh companies. “Today Kazakhstan has formed a professional pool of extractive companies experienced in geological exploration, mining, and processing of solid minerals. These companies are keen to find and invest in promising deposits,” Zhumangarin noted. Representatives from major firms such as ERG Exploration, Kazakhmys Barlau, and Kazatomprom accompanied the Kazakh delegation. The meeting participants agreed to establish a joint technical commission to facilitate timely discussions on emerging issues. Zhumangarin also attended the Kazakhstan-Afghanistan Business Forum, which saw participation from 50 Kazakhstani companies. During the forum, he highlighted the potential for Afghanistan to serve as a key logistics hub between Central and South Asia, while Kazakhstan could become a reliable supplier of food products, technologies, engineering services, chemicals, and IT solutions. "An ambitious but achievable goal has been set, to increase the volume of trade to $3 billion in the short term. Achieving this requires building sustainable supply chains, expanding the range of traded goods, and creating favorable conditions for investment and entrepreneurship," Zhumangarin stated. He also proposed to Afghan Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Ghani Baradar the opening of a Kazakh trade house in Kabul. Additionally, the Kazakh side suggested considering the export of buses manufactured by QazTehna LLP to Afghanistan. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan is also exploring the possibility of exporting cars produced in Kostanay and Almaty to Afghanistan, with first deliveries potentially taking place this year.