Construction of the Aktogay copper smelter has begun in the Abai Region of eastern Kazakhstan. The $1.8 billion project is being implemented by the KAZ Minerals group.
The new facility will have an annual production capacity of up to 300,000 tonnes of copper cathodes, utilizing copper concentrate sourced from the group’s own operations.
In addition to copper cathodes, the plant is set to produce gold, silver, sulfuric acid, and other by-products. According to the Administration of the President of Kazakhstan, the first copper cathodes are expected to be produced by 2030.
The Chinese firm NFC—a subsidiary of the China Nonferrous Metal Mining Group—is serving as the engineering partner for the project. Once the facility is commissioned, it is expected to create over 1,000 jobs.
Kazakhstani authorities estimate that the new plant’s production capacity will be sufficient to meet the country’s domestic demand for refined copper.
Alex Shishlo, Editor in Chief of the European Bureau, Rough&Polished
