Kazakhstan Ramps up Gold and Rare Earth Exploration with $500m Push
Kazakhstan is preparing to launch a major new phase of geological exploration in 2026, with the government planning to invest 240 billion tenge (about $500 million) to conduct more detailed studies of its subsurface resources, including potential reserves of gold and rare earth elements.
The funding will support 20 exploration projects over the next three years, according to Russian media cited by The Caspian Post.
The program will also include seismic surveys in poorly studied sedimentary basins and the development of modern geological infrastructure. By comparison, Kazakhstan invested roughly $469 million in geological exploration over the past 15 years.
“This year, the government is beginning a new stage of subsurface research at a much more detailed level,” the Kazakh government said.
Planned work will involve analysis of Earth remote sensing data, aerogeophysical and geochemical studies, and extensive field research, with the aim of significantly improving understanding of the country’s mineral potential.
Officials said the selection of exploration areas considered resource depletion, the absence or limited presence of subsoil users, and prospects for priority minerals. As a result, several zones with strong potential for discoveries of copper, gold, lead, zinc, rare earth elements, barite, and bauxite have been identified.
