ASTANA, Kazakhstan, December 3. Kazakhstan is rolling up its sleeves and diving into the deep end with new technologies to boost the efficiency of mineral extraction, Trend reports.
This became known at a meeting of Kazakhstan’s government, chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektanov, where the development of the geological sector was discussed. The instructions of the President were considered regarding the increase in the area of geological studies from 1.5 million to 2.2 million square meters starting in 2026. It was noted that within the framework of international cooperation with geological services of foreign countries, joint efforts are underway to explore promising mineral resource deposits in Eastern Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan's Minister of Industry and Construction, Kanat Sharlapayev, for his part, reported on the ongoing work to digitize primary geological information. Currently, 2.5 million data entries have been converted into a digital format. By the end of next year, it is planned to digitize another 1.5 million data entries. The entire process is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
The topic of hydrocarbon raw materials was also discussed. An Improved Model Contract mechanism has been introduced in this sector to enhance competitiveness. With state funding, the search for hydrocarbons is nearing completion at 12 sites. Lithium exploration, which is of particular relevance, is being conducted within the Bayan-Kol field, the Aral, and Caspian regions.
Following the review of several issues, at the end of the meeting, the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan issued a number of instructions.
To note, in 2023-2024, eight sites in the Caspian Basin were identified where contractual obligations were not being fulfilled and no work was being conducted. Four of these sites were put up for auction this year, while the remaining four will be auctioned off next year.