Kazakhstan's KZT 7.4 Billion Lead-Copper Recycling Project Officially Launched

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On October 15, Open Minerals Group Processing, a Kazakhstan mining processing enterprise, held a formal launch ceremony for its lead-copper processing facility in the Zerendi District of Akmola Region, with Regional Governor Marat Akhmetzhanov in attendance. The project has accumulated an investment of KZT 7.4 billion. It currently processes 2,000 to 3,000 tons of lead-bearing raw materials per month and has produced approximately 6,000 tons of lead slag and 350 tons of displaced copper to date. The company plans to subsequently expand the facility into an integrated metallurgical production complex.

The project restores and expands non-ferrous metal processing operations on an existing industrial site. At the current stage, it primarily processes lead-bearing raw materials and recovers metal components including lead and copper. The company has established product supply partnerships with Kazakh mining companies Kazakhmys and Kazzinc. The project currently employs approximately 100 people, with plans to increase the workforce to 150 as subsequent metallurgical capacity construction progresses.

In the next phase, Open Minerals Group Processing plans to introduce pyrometallurgical processes and build crude lead production capacity, targeting a maximum monthly output of 1,000 tons. The expansion plan also includes the production of antimony metal and copper concentrate, with gradual implementation envisaged over the next five years. According to the environmental impact assessment materials submitted by the company, the new processes involve the handling of lead-bearing intermediate products and copper ore raw materials, with output ranging from crude lead and copper slag to copper concentrate and other products.

The project has previously entered the environmental impact assessment procedure. In June 2026, the competent authority of Kazakhstan published the environmental impact report for Open Minerals Group Processing's proposed process adjustments and organized the relevant public participation procedures. The company's subsequent metallurgical process expansion will be coordinated with the corresponding environmental approvals and production facility modification arrangements.