Kazakhstan adopts geology development concept

Kazakhstan, Astana, June 12 / Trend D. Mukhtarov /

A concept envisaging key changes, was adopted to develop geology in Kazakhstan, Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and New Technologies Aset Isekeshev said today.

"In particular, it is planned to establish a Geological Research Centre," he said at the opening of the IV International 'Astana Mining & Metallurgy' forum ('AMM -2013') in Astana today. "This will be a competence centre on the latest scientific achievements in the field of exploration."

He added that the centre will consist of laboratories certified according to international standards, a complex for geological data analysis and interpretation, core storage, pilot and scientific experimental sites.

"Moreover, the Earth Science Centre will be established at the Nazarbayev University which will deal with scientific research," he said. "Measures are being taken to open a school on the mining sector together with the Colorado School of Mining."

The minister also said that the Kazgeology National Geological Exploration Company is now establishing relations with companies from Japan, South Korea and European countries.

"One of the first projects is to cooperate with the British-Australian company Rio Tinto to search for world class porphyry copper deposits, using Rio Tinto technologies and techniques, to be transferred to Kazakhstan," he said.

Moreover, work is underway with the Australian company Iluka Resources which is a leader in zirconium production, as well as the second largest manufacturer of titanium dioxide and with the Korean company KORES for searching polymetals.

"The preliminary areas have been determined with these companies for holding geological exploration work," Isekeshev said.