Kazakhstan registers 54 new mineral deposits in 2024-2025
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Kazakhstan registered 54 new mineral deposits in 2024-2025, including 40 solid minerals, seven hydrocarbons, and seven groundwater sites. The government also launched 20 detailed geological survey projects covering 100,000 square kilometers in 2026. The country aims to expand geological mapping coverage from 2.04 million to 2.2 million square kilometers this year.
Key Facts
- Kazakhstan registered 54 new mineral deposits in 2024-2025, including 40 solid minerals, seven hydrocarbons, and seven groundwater sites.
- Gold reserves increased by 157.2 tonnes, silver by 9,400 tonnes, and copper by 122,700 tonnes over the two-year period.
- The government launched 20 detailed geological survey projects covering 100,000 square kilometers in 2026.
- Kazakhstan identified 935,400 tonnes of forecast rare earth metal resources at the Kuirektykol site in Karaganda Region.
- Geological mapping coverage at 1:200,000 scale is planned to increase from 2.04 million to 2.2 million square kilometers in 2026.
Mineral Reserve Growth
The Ministry of Industry and Construction reported increased reserves for gold, silver, copper, chromium, zinc, lead, iron ore, manganese, phosphorite, oil, gas, and groundwater. Iron ore reserves grew by 262.2 million tonnes, the largest increase among solid minerals. Hydrocarbon reserves rose by 199 million tonnes of oil and 22 billion cubic meters of gas. Zinc reserves increased by 171,900 tonnes and lead by 114,800 tonnes. Chromium ore reserves expanded by 927,000 tonnes, while manganese added 11,052 tonnes.
Detailed Geological Survey
Kazakhstan began implementing 20 geological survey projects at 1:50,000 scale in 2026, covering 100,000 square kilometers. The surveys target gold, copper, polymetals, lithium, tungsten, molybdenum, and rare earth metals. Geological mapping coverage at 1:200,000 scale is planned to reach 2.2 million square kilometers in 2026, up from 2.04 million. The government allocated 40.7 billion tenge for mineral exploration and detailed study of promising areas.
Rare Earth Potential
Kazakhstan identified 935,400 tonnes of forecast rare earth metal resources at the Kuirektykol site in Karaganda Region. The Irgiz area has calculated C2 category reserves of 795,800 tonnes. Additional rare earth potential was assessed at the Kenkuduk, Rzhavaya Sopka, Mirolyubovsky, Bokai, and Kuneoi sites. Research was completed on 11 sites included in the exploration program.