Kazakhstan to Invest 40.7 Billion Tenge in Exploring Gold, Copper, Lithium and Other Minerals from 2026 to 2028

en.Wedoany.com Reported - Relevant authorities in Kazakhstan are currently conducting regional geological surveys at a scale of 1:200,000. According to the plan, by the end of 2026, the country's geological and geophysical survey coverage will expand to 2.2 million square kilometers, with the completion of work on 25 projects.

One of the key priorities of the current work is the transition to geological mapping at a more detailed scale of 1:50,000 (GS-50). In 2026, Kazakhstan has launched 20 related projects, focusing on the search for promising gold, copper, polymetallic, rare earth elements, lithium, tungsten, molybdenum, and other strategic mineral resources.

Meanwhile, the Kazakh side also plans to launch six 2D seismic exploration projects in the North Torgay and Chu-Sarysu sedimentary basins, where the level of exploration is relatively low. To support geological mapping and seismic exploration, the Government of Kazakhstan plans to allocate 40.7 billion tenge from government reserve funds between 2026 and 2028, of which 32.7 billion tenge will be used for GS-50 geological mapping projects and an additional 8 billion tenge for seismic exploration.

The relevant projects cover airborne geophysics, geochemical and laboratory studies, remote sensing data interpretation, drilling, and downhole geophysical surveys. To ensure stable long-term financing for the geological study of the country's subsurface resources, Kazakhstan has legislatively established that at least 50% of the signing bonus income from mineral resource auctions will be allocated to related geological research projects.