In the Akmola region, the first underground blast occurred at the Altyntau Kokshetau JSC deposit. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
According to the regional akimat, this event marked the start of a new stage in the mine's development — the transition to underground mining.
"The transition to the shaft method is a great historical moment for the enterprise. It will extend the life cycle of the deposit until 2047, create new jobs, and give a new impetus to the development of the enterprise," noted Yernar Zharkeshov, Deputy Akim of the Akmola region.
To expand the production territory, the company was provided with an additional land plot of 1,057 hectares.
Altyntau Kokshetau is the gold mining division of Kazzinc LLP. Previously, mining was carried out by open-pit method, with up to 15 tons of gold produced annually.
The territory hosts a gold ore deposit and a processing plant launched in 2009. Ore is ground there to four microns. The resulting Dore alloy is sent to the refinery of the Ust-Kamenogorsk metallurgical complex.
The enterprise employs over 1,700 people. Its share accounts for 17% of industrial production in the Akmola region and 23% of the region's manufacturing industry.
Earlier, Kursiv reported that Kazzinc earned Glencore $771 million amid rumors of a sale and an explosion at the plant.