ASTANA, Kazakhstan, March 6. An off-take agreement for the production of grinding balls has been signed in Kazakhstan's Astana, between KAZ Minerals Group and the Chilean company ME Elecmetal, Trend reports.
The plant is planned to start operations in 2028 in Taldykorgan, and its production capacity will reach 150,000 tons per year. Investments in the project are estimated at $85 million. The implementation of the initiative is expected to create up to 100 new jobs, contributing to the development of the industrial potential of the region and increasing government revenue.
Chairman of the Board of KAZ Minerals Management LLP Eldar Mamedov labeled cooperation with ME Elecmetal opens up new prospects.
"KAZ Minerals Group always strives to implement cutting-edge solutions to ensure maximum efficiency in the production cycle. The use of high-quality grinding balls is a key factor for the operation of our mining and processing complexes," he notes. "In 2023, we conducted large-scale trials of products from various suppliers. The main criteria for evaluation were ball consumption, energy consumption, minimizing production downtime due to ball breakage, and improving metal recovery. ME Elecmetal's products showed the best results across all parameters," Mamedov said.
Eldar Mamedov also pointed out that the signing of the off-take agreement is not just a business deal but a strategic partnership aimed at developing Kazakhstan's mining industry and increasing its competitiveness in the global market.
''The construction of the plant will not only meet the demand for high-quality products but also enhance production localization, create new jobs, and introduce modern technologies,'' Mamedov added.
Grinding ball production plays a key role in the mining industry. KAZ Minerals Group consumes up to 70,000 tons of this product annually, spending about $100 million. Due to the lack of locally produced balls of comparable quality, the company uses ME Elecmetal products — a leading global manufacturer in this field.
KAZ Minerals is a copper mining company focused on developing large-scale, low-cost open-pit mining operations in Kazakhstan. The group operates at the Aktogay copper mine, the Orlovsky mine, a beneficiation plant in the Abai region, the Bozshakol mine in the Pavlodar region, two underground mines, and a beneficiation plant in the East Kazakhstan region, as well as the Bozymchak copper-gold mine in Kyrgyzstan.