Kazakhstan has inaugurated its first world-class geological cluster in Zhezkazgan, now the most technologically advanced facility of its kind in Central Asia, as the nation’s mining and exploration industries continue to expand, reported the Astana Times.
The new cluster, equipped with cutting-edge systems found in only seven centres worldwide, consolidates all core stages of geological exploration on one site, Kazakhmys reported on Nov. 24. Built by local contractor Tansu Construction, the project represents an 11-billion-tenge (about US$21.1 million) investment by the Kazakhmys Group. Operated by Kazakhmys Barlau, it has already created more than 200 jobs.
As the first facility in Kazakhstan to fully integrate a training centre with a state-of-the-art laboratory complex, the cluster enables rapid data acquisition and accelerates decision-making in exploration. Its core storage facility, the country’s largest, can hold 200,000 meters of samples, forming a national archive of primary geological data that will allow experts to refine models and reduce exploration risks.
The laboratory block, developed jointly with global geochemical analysis leader ALS (Australia), ensures all testing meets international standards. Among the advanced technologies installed are automated German Ancorelog core-scanning systems and the AI-powered LithoLens processing suite, which boosts analysis speed from 60 to 240 linear meters per shift. These tools significantly improve data quality and support faster model-building.
“We are opening infrastructure that makes Kazakhstan’s geology more accurate, faster and more technologically advanced,” said Kazakhmys Corporation Chairman Nurakhmet Nuriyev at the launch. “This new level of capability will support the sustainable development of the country’s mineral resource base.”
Yedil Zhanbyrshin, Chairman of the Committee on Ecology and Nature Use, noted that Kazakhstan is strengthening its legal framework for geological development. Amendments to the Subsoil and Subsoil Use Code, currently under parliamentary review, aim to increase the sector’s investment appeal. The updated legislation will raise thresholds for solid mineral processing agreements, allocate at least 50% of signing bonuses to mapping the national subsoil fund, and formalize a unified digital platform for subsoil use.
“This creates transparency, fairness and competition,” he said. “The new law will undoubtedly help promote investment projects such as the geological cluster in Zhezkazgan.”
The cluster also includes a new geophysical laboratory developed in partnership with the Colorado School of Mines. Equipped with advanced instruments and staffed by Qazaq Geophysics, the facility is designed to bolster Kazakhstan’s research potential and train specialists in geophysics, instrumentation and robotics.
