Kazakhstan Shifts to Detailed 1:50,000 Scale Geology for Strategic Resource Development

On February 13, 2026, Kanat Yerubayev, the Acting Chairman of the Geology Committee, outlined the progress of the state program for detailed geological exploration. He emphasized that modern geology serves as a strategic instrument for economic development. With global demand rising for copper, gold, rare earth elements, and other critical resources, Kazakhstan is focusing on enhancing the precision and investment appeal of its geological data.

A pivotal move in this strategy is the transition from a 1:200,000 scale survey to a more detailed international standard of 1:50,000. In 2025 alone, projects for detailed surveying were prepared across an area of 100 thousand square kilometers. These efforts have already identified 29 prospective sites containing deposits of gold, copper, lead, zinc, and other minerals.

The exploration of hydrocarbon basins continues as well. In the Aral region, over 20 promising areas have been identified and are slated to be offered at auction.

The field is undergoing active digital transformation. The Unified Subsoil Use Platform now provides access to 22 government services and a digital archive of 66 thousand geological reports. Digitization of primary geological data has reached 97.5%, with completion expected within the year.

Approximately 240 billion tenge has been allocated for state geological exploration over the next three years. The first auctions for promising sites discovered through this new detailed work are planned as early as 2027.

"We are moving from the stage of data accumulation to deep analysis and investment realization," stated Kanat Yerubayev.