MINEX CENTRAL ASIA 2013

Astana, April 19: For the fourth year in a row, the world’s leading experts on mining and mineral exploration in the Central Asian region gathered this week in Astana for “MINEX Central Asia”. Building on the experience of the first three years, “MINEX Central Asia” now operates successfully to a tried and tested formula: a two day conference; regional investment sessions; an on-site exhibition; and pre-forum Master Classes aimed at mining professionals. For the fourth year in a row, the world’s leading experts on mining and mineral exploration in the Central Asian region gathered this week in Astana for “MINEX Central Asia”.

    Building on the experience of the fi rst three years, “MINEX Central Asia” now operates successfully to a tried and tested formula: a two day conference; regional investment sessions; an on-site exhibition; and pre-forum Master Classes aimed at mining professionals. The event is now acknowledged to be the largest and most authoritative international forum on mineral prospecting, exploration and mining in Kazakhstan and Central Asia, and brings together some 500 specialists from government and business. This year there were representatives from 15 countries. As well as delegates from Central Asia and the CIS, there were participants from Australia, Canada, China, Germany, the Middle East, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK and the US.

    This year’s event came at a crucial time for the authorities in Kazakhstan. The government and the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies are currently preparing a new law “On Subsoil Use”. This is expected to remove the ban on issuing new subsoil use licences in Kazakhstan in order to stimulate greater investment into the sector.

    The government and the ministry are also working on a mining development program for 2015-2019. The ideas behind the draft program were introduced to the conference by the Deputy Minister for Industry and New Technologies, Nurlan Sauranbayev, who stressed that it was the government’s intention to consult with all relevant geological companies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The new program is expected to stimulate the development of Deep and High Stress Mining of strategic deposits, with the emphasis on the single industry mining towns which have grown up around mines, where the life and well-being of the town is entirely dependent on the mine.Mr Sauranbayev also revealed to the conference plans to create in Astana the Center for Geological Research. The Deputy Minister stressed that this would not simply be a laboratory, but would be a research center operating at international standards, using new technologies and training personnel to the highest level.

    The need for such a center in Kazakhstan was also underlined by the Deputy Prime Minister, Kairat Kelimbetov, in his address to the Forum. “Mineral extraction forms the basis of exports from our country”, he told delegates, going on to point out that this accounts for 60% of Kazakhstan’s industrial production. But the country cannot afford to stand still in the area of mineral exploration and exploitation. Expert analysis suggests that by the year 2050 the demand for these minerals will have risen by between 25-50%, compared to current levels.

    Delegates to “MINEX Central Asia 2013” were left in no doubt that Kazakhstan is open to cooperation in the planning and practice of mining and mineral extraction.