Kazakhstan allocates $52.8 mln for geological exploration in 2013
By Aynur Jafarova
Kazakhstan allocated eight billion tenge ($52.8 million) from the state budget for geological exploration in 2013, Chairman of the Geology and Subsoil Use Committee of the Industry and New Technologies Ministry Bazarbai Nurabayev said at the IV International 'Astana Mining & Metallurgy' forum ('AMM -2013').
However, he said, these funds will be insufficient as payments for geological information as well as its declassification, including information about the development of the resource base, has been terminated with a view to increase the investment attractiveness of the industry.
"We plan to gradually increase this figure. About 60 billion tenge should be invested in geological explorations by 2019," he said.
Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and New Technologies Asset Issekeshev, in turn, said that Kazakhstan has adopted a concept of the development of geology in the country.
The new concept will be based on international best practices in subsoil use, Issekeshev added.
According to Issekeshev, one of the aspects of the concept is
aimed at improving the competitiveness of the industry through
diversification and modernization.
"The program of modernization is realized at large enterprises such
as Arcelor, ENRC, Kazakhmys, Kazzinc. They plan to increase
productivity, reduce costs of production, and improve energy
efficiency," he said.
It is planned to establish a Geological Research Centre, which will keep the latest scientific achievements in the field of exploration, he said.
According to him, the centre will consist of laboratories certified in accordance with 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. Measures are being taken to open a school on the mining sector together with the Colorado School of Mining," he said.
Issekeshev went on to say that the Kazgeology National Geological Exploration Company is now establishing relations with companies from Japan, South Korea and European countries.
Kazakhstan is studying the experience of Australia, Canada, Brazil and other countries, he said.
"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 methods, 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," Issekeshev said.
The AMM Forum annually brings together the world's political, business, financial and scientific leaders from the mining and metallurgical industry for the development of mutually beneficial partnerships and introduction of innovation and attraction of investment.
According to preliminary data, the forum brought together about 700 delegates from all over Kazakhstan and neighboring countries as well as those from member countries, ambassadors and representatives of trade missions accredited in Kazakhstan.