ASTANA, Kazakhstan, November 4. The first tungsten processing plant in the history of the country was inaugurated in Almaty region of Kazakhstan, Trend reports.
The project, valued at $300 million, was implemented in accordance with international environmental and industrial standards. The plant will provide up to 1000 jobs for local specialists and, upon reaching its designed capacity, will process 3.3 million tons of ore annually, producing a 65 percent tungsten concentrate.
At the time of the opening, the readiness of key facilities was as follows: sludge storage facility readiness - 60 percent, concentrator readiness - also 60 percent, external water supply facility readiness - 85 percent, and internal power supply - 90 percent. The only component of the plant that was 100 percent ready was its external power supply.
The project is managed by the company "Aral Kegen," which is part of the international holding Jiaxin International Resources Investment, joined by Jiangxi Copper Corporation, China Railway Construction Company, China Civil Engineering Construction Company, and Ever Trillion International Singapore PTE LTD.
Future plans include the construction of a deep processing complex, which will increase the tungsten content to 88.5 percent and produce high-purity tungsten carbide. The expected investment for this phase will amount to $150 million.
The opening of the plant marks a new stage in the development of Kazakhstan's mining industry and emphasizes the country's commitment to the efficient and rational use of natural resources.
Chinese companies are actively involved in the construction of similar enterprises and are investing significant amounts of money. Today, during a meeting in China with representatives of leading Chinese companies, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Olzhas Bektenov, signed 8 commercial agreements totaling $2.5 billion.