Kazakhstan probes 380 million tenge theft at Syrymbet tin mine project

September 2, 2026 at 11:28 AM1 min

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Kazakhstan's Financial Monitoring Agency is investigating the theft of 380 million tenge from a railway and utilities project at the Syrymbet tin deposit in North Kazakhstan Region. The contractor, Akcent KZ, abandoned the work despite receiving 1.4 billion tenge in 2017. A court has seized three apartments and a parking space from the suspects.

Key Facts

The Syrymbet deposit in Aiyrtau district is Kazakhstan's only tin deposit and the largest in Central Asia.
The state allocated 1.4 billion tenge in 2017 for a railway and utility networks to the mine.
Contractor Akcent KZ was to complete the work in 2018, but the construction was abandoned and 380 million tenge of work exists only on paper.
Two suspects are named: the head of the contractor company and the former head of the North Kazakhstan Region Energy and Housing Department.
A court has seized three apartments and a parking space belonging to the suspects to recover damages.

Investigation Details

The Financial Monitoring Agency of Kazakhstan reported that the case began in 2017. The contractor promised to finish all work by 2018, but deadlines were repeatedly extended and the rails still lead nowhere. Financial police inspection revealed that the construction was abandoned and 380 million tenge of work exists only on paper. The investigation is ongoing, and further details are being withheld in the interests of the investigation.

Suspects and Asset Seizure

Two key figures are involved in the criminal case: the head of the contractor company and the former head of the North Kazakhstan Region Energy and Housing Department. To compensate the state for damages, the court has seized three apartments and a parking space belonging to the suspects.