15.04.2010 Download Media Coverage of the Minex Central Asia 2010 Forum.

17.02.2010
Kazakhstan is No 1 Uranium producer in the World!
In 2009 the Republic of Kazakhstan has led the world in uranium production. As Mining Company LLP reported to NAC Kazatomprom JSC, on December 21, 2009, the target was hit, with the uranium output of 13,500 tons. By the end of last year, 400 tons were additionally produced. According to Ux Consulting’s forecast, in 2009, Canada’s natural uranium output amounted to 9,934 tons, Australia’s – to 8,022 tons.

At present, there are 21 operating mines in Kazakhstan producing uranium by the most environmentally sound and cost effective method – in-situ leaching. In 2009 year or year uranium output increased by 63%. It was made possible through putting new mines into operation and expanding existing production capacities.

In 2010, NAC Kazatomprom will start implementing new hi-tech projects, in particular, science-intensive and technology-intensive operations based on rare and rare-earth metals and elaboration of alternative energy installations in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Development of Kazakhstan Uranium industry will be widely discussed at the Uranium Session organised at the Minex Central Asia Mining and Exploration forum in Astana on 17-18 March. The session is hosted by NAC Kazatomprom JSC and will focus on opportunities for International technical and investment cooperation in Kazakhstan.

The session will includes presentations from:

• Vladimir Shkolnik, Chairman of the Board, Kazatomprom
• Nurlan Ryspanov, Vice president and COO, Kazatomprom
• Lady Barbara Thomas Judge, Non-executive Chairman, United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
• Vadim Zhivov, Director General, ARMZ Uranium Holding
• Sergey Breus, General Director, Inkai JV
• Tim McGraw, Executive Vice President, Nukem Inc.
• Jean Nortier, Chief Executive Officer, Uranium One

Read full newsletter release

12.02.2010
Kazakhstan to Double Metals Output Within Five Years
In 2009 Kazakhstan’s economy expanded by 1.1 % after growing 3.2 percent the year before. According to new Industrial Development program Kazakhstan plans to implement 162 industrial projects at a cost of 6.5 trillion tenge ($43.9 billion). Investment in modernisation of Mining and Metallurgical Industry will allow Kazakhstan to double metals output in five years. Special investment zones and conditions will be set up to encourage foreign direct investment.

11.02.2010
Kazakhstan reveals 67 major mining and exploration projects opening to foreign investors and JVs

Main regional partner of Minex Central Asia Forum – National Mining Company “Tau-Ken Samruk” reveals 67 major mining and exploration projects open to foreign partners. The list of projects includes exploration and mining licenses for precious and rear earth metals, iron ore, coal and non-ferrous metals.

The list of projects (in Russian) is available here: Download document (in English) (XLS)

18.01.2010 | Download full text

Key events in Kazakhstan

• Mining and Metallurgical sector of Kazakhstan currently contributes over 22% to the country’s GDP and over 25% of export. In 2010 Kazakh Government will be launching the largest in five decades program designed to stimulate new investments in the innovation and modernisation of the country’s key economic sectors including Mining and Metallurgy. Kazakhstan is currently the World’s 11th largest mineral producer and World’s No 1 Uranium exporter. As the result of the modernisation program Kazakhstan expects to double its metals production. At the same time industrial output of the mining sector should exceed 107%.

11.12.2009 | Download full text

Technical Committee

The initial general meeting of the Minex Forum Technical Committee was held on 11 December 2009 in Astana in Kazakhstan at the offices of the Republican Association of the mining and mountain-metallurgical enterprises. The Minex Asia Technical Committee is the main steering body of the Minex Central Asia Mining and Exploration Forum which will be held in Astana in Kazakhstan on 16-18 March 2010. The Committee is responsible for defining forum’s objectives, designing agenda and providing guidance with the day to day event management of the forum.

Senior representatives of the following Committee Member organisations took part in the meeting:

1. Samruk Kazyna
2. Tau-Ken Samruk
3. ENRC
4. Kazakhmys
5. The Republican Association of the mining and mountain-metallurgical enterprises of Kazakhstan
6. SRK Consulting
7. IMC Montan
8. American Appraisal
9. Grata Law Firm
10. Advantix

The meeting considered proposals received from Kazatomprom, Rio Tinto, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Wardell Armstrong and NBLgold who could not participate in the meeting.

Meeting agenda:

• Define forum objectives.
• Discuss and approve forum agenda
• Event planning.