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Kazakhstan increases metallurgy production volumes

18 June 2015 16:56 (UTC+04:00)
Kazakhstan increases metallurgy production volumes

By Aynur Karimova

The volume of metallurgy production in Kazakhstan in the first five months of 2015 has exceeded last year's indexes by 15.6 percent.

This remark was made by Kazakhstan's First Deputy Prime Minister Bakytzhan Sagintayev at the 6th International Astana Mining & Metallurgy Congress on June 17.

He said Kazakhstan has taken appropriate measures that would maintain competitiveness in domestic steel products. The country put 60 new factories worth $2.5 billion into operation and created over 16,000 permanent jobs. All this was done under the first five-year plan of industrialization in the mining and metallurgical industry.

"This year we plan to launch another six projects," Sagintayev noted. "To continue the course of economic diversification, the President of Kazakhstan approved the State Program of industrial and innovative development for 2015-2019 years, which identifies ferrous and nonferrous metallurgy as priority areas."

He stressed that the main objectives of the program are to expand the capacity of existing enterprises, increase the production of base metals, and to stimulate domestic demand and exports.

Kazakhstan to increase titanium production

Sagintayev went on to add that as part of development of Kazakhstan's metallurgy industry, the government plans to increase the country's titanium production share in the world market from 11 percent to 20 percent.

He pointed out several priorities for Kazakhstan’s mining and metallurgical industry as mentioned by President Nursultan Nazarbayev.

"The first will be increasing Kazakhstan's share in the global titanium segment from 11 percent to 20 percent," Sagintayev said.

The government also plans to introduce international standards on mineral resources in the industry. Referencing Australia’s experience, it plans to use simplified modalities in subsoil use..

The official also stressed the need to strengthen work on the further involvement of multinational companies in the mining and metallurgy industry.

Kazakhstan to produce over 18 mln tons of coal

Sovet Dambarbayev, the Deputy Director of Department of Coal Industry development under the Energy Ministry, said Kazakhstan plans to produce 108.6 million tons of coal in 2015.

"In 2014, Kazakhstan produced 107.6 million tons of coal, which fully met the domestic demand. Export of coal amounted to 30.4 million tons last year," he noted.

He also said the increase of coal production volumes will be achieved thanks to the implementation of several projects, in particular by realizing the project on reconstruction of the transport scheme in the Bogatyr section.

Dambarbayev stressed the importance of maintaining the volume of coal export, and developing new coal chemical enterprises, since the pace of coal production in Kazakhstan is ahead of demand.

Kazakhstan has over 400 coal fields of different ages. Commercial resources of coal amount to 33.6 billion tons, or 3.6 percent of world reserves. As of January 1, 2014, Kazakhstan stood at 7th place in the world in terms of the approved reserves of coal. At current rates of consumption, these reserves will be enough for about 300 years.

Kazakhstan to start methane production in 2017

Dambarbayev went on to say that industrial production of methane from coal seams is scheduled to start in 2017.

Methane is one of the non-conventional energy carriers, the reserves of which allow it to be considered an alternative fuel and energy component for Kazakhstan.

The project for the production of methane from coal seams is carried out in the Karaganda coal basin. In 2015 KazTransGas Joint Stock Company will start to conduct exploration,, in particular drilling of several wells, core recovery and estimation of gas reserves.

"The development of the project of on production of methane from coal seams consists of three stages. In the third stage, the commercial production of methane will be carried out," he noted.

The 6th International Astana Mining & Metallurgy Congress, one of the most significant events in the mining and metallurgy industry, is being held on June 17-18 and is attended by about 600 delegates from 18 countries.

The organizers of the event are Kazakhstan's Investment and Development Ministry Kazakh, exhibition company Iteca, and its international partner ITE Group Plc (UK).

The development of mining and metallurgical industries is among the top priorities of the Kazakh government. In 2015, Kazakhstan transitioned to the second five-year Program of industrial and innovative development. In 2014, the industry provided 18 percent of gross added value in the country's economy and accounted for 2.9 percent of employment in the country.

The government is implementing the "Plan of development of rare-metal industries of mining and metallurgical complex of Kazakhstan for 2015-2019", overseeing the legal and regulatory support of the industry, improving the state system of industry regulation, providing mineral resources, expanding scientific and technological support for the creation and development of Kazakhstan's industry, and creating and expanding rare metal production facilities.

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Aynur Karimova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Aynur_Karimova

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz

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