Construction of a new gold recovery factory by Zijin RG Gold has begun in the Akmola region. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
According to the regional akimat, investments in the project will exceed $600 million.
According to the press service of the department, the enterprise is being built at the Raigorodok deposit. The new factory will be able to process up to 10 million tons of ore per year.
After its launch, the total capacity of the complex will increase to 16 million tons of ore per year, and the production of Dore alloy will increase from 6 to more than 12 tons per year. Additionally, the enterprise will be able to produce about 7 tons of gold annually.
In addition to the factory, the project includes the construction of energy and water supply facilities, a tailings storage facility, transport infrastructure, repair and warehouse complexes, and a shift camp for 400 people.
Zijin Mining has already launched a scholarship program for youth from the region. Students will be able to study in China and, upon return, work at the mine and the new plant. The company also plans to cooperate with universities and colleges in the Akmola region.
"For our region, the arrival of an investor of this level is a large-scale event. This is a transition to a new, high-tech stage of development of the entire industry with a high level of environmental responsibility," noted Akmola region akim Marat Akhmetzhanov.
The Akmola region today provides 54% of the republican production volume of Dore alloy.
In parallel, the Altyntau Kokshetau enterprise is expanding its production site and launching underground mining. "Altynalmas" is modernizing gold recovery factories at the Zholymbet and Aksu mines. The cost of these works is 23 billion tenge.
Regional authorities expect that the implementation of large projects will increase gold processing volumes to 50 million tons of ore per year by 2028.
Earlier, Kursiv wrote that one of China's largest mining holdings, Zijin Mining Group, registered a new company, Tianshan Resources Co., Ltd, in the Astana International Financial Centre.