Format: Presentations and panel discussion 

As global demand for critical minerals and metals continues to grow, the pressure to discover new deposits faster, more efficiently, and at lower cost has never been greater. This session will explore practical, field-tested technologies and exploration approaches that are delivering results in Kazakhstan and across Central Asia—one of the world’s most promising and underexplored mineral regions. Drawing on real project examples, the discussion will highlight proven methods for accelerating target generation, improving exploration accuracy, and reducing risk and expenditure at early stages of discovery. Topics may include modern geophysics, remote sensing, geochemical techniques, data integration, and cost-effective exploration workflows adapted to regional geological conditions.

Format: Discussion co-organised with the Eurasia Critical Minerals Organisation

The five Central Asian nations or C5 (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan) are receiving unprecedented interest in their critical mineral endowments. To satisfy demand for defence, green energy, technology and AI, countries from US, UK, EU to China, Japan and Korea are signing non-binding agreements with the C5.

History is littered with such agreements, so what must be done to ensure that the C5 benefit from this interest by attracting investment and building sustainable and profitable partnerships? Join a panel of experts from Eurasia Critical Minerals Organisation (ECMO) in debating the issues and identifying paths forward.

Format: Presentations and panel discussion 

The challenge of evaluating and negotiating mining projects is a symptom of a market in transition in Kazakhstan. Small mining companies that cling to unrealistic, un-modelled price expectations risk being left behind as the sector consolidates around sophisticated majors and state-backed giants. Conversely, buyers who fail to appreciate the improving regulatory landscape, the tax benefits, and the genuine geological potential of the region will miss out on the global race for critical minerals. The case-based approach demonstrates that the valuation gap is bridged when both sides stop looking at the ground and start looking at the project’s technical, financial, and legal “Basis of Design”.

Format: Presentations and panel discussion organised in partnership with SLR Consulting

Water is no longer just an environmental commodity in Kazakhstan; it is a strategic economic asset. Water scarcity in Kazakhstan is escalating, with the UN’s “Water Stress” indicator (SDG 6.4.2) for the country rising to 34.1%-significantly above the global average. While the government has integrated Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into high-level policy, recent analysis reveals a critical disconnect between these national strategies and the practical environmental standards applied at mine sites. To address water scarcity challenges, Kazakhstan is introducing National Water Resource Assessment System and Mandatory transition to closed water supply cycles. This session offers a roadmap for transforming water management from a compliance burden into a competitive advantage, ensuring that Kazakhstan’s mining sector remains resilient in a climate-constrained future.

Format: Presentations and panel discussion organised in partnership with SRK Consulting

Recent mining developments in Kazakhstan and other regions across Central Asia reveal declining quality in project evaluations. This is worrying as project evaluations are considered a bedrock for all subsequent planning, financing, and operational phases. The transition from historical data to a modern, bankable feasibility study requires more than just software; it requires a culture of technical integrity, professional scepticism, and a commitment to long-term environmental stewardship. Without these elements, the “Mining Project for Success” will remain an elusive goal, overshadowed by the risks of poor planning and the systemic errors of the past.

Format: Presentations and panel discussion

Context: Kazakhstan is at a geological turning point where its vast Soviet-era exploration archives meet modern algorithmic discovery. With over 90% of historical records digitised, the focus is shifting from preservation to AI-driven analysis of geological “Big Data.” This session examines how machine learning is reprocessing legacy seismic, magnetic, and geochemical data to predict deep ore bodies beyond traditional reach. By replacing static paper maps with dynamic 3D digital models, Kazakhstan aims to revitalise its mineral base, while testing how digital insights translate into real-world discovery and economic value.

Format: Presentations and panel discussion

Kazakhstan’s mining sector is currently navigating a “perfect storm” regarding Tailings Management Facilities (TMFs). With billions of tons of industrial waste accumulated, the industry faces dual pressure: aggressive government mandates to repurpose Technogenic Mineral Formations (TMFs) into economic assets, and a tightening global insurance market that views tailings as high-risk liabilities. This session explores the intersection of Kazakhstan’s 2026–2028 Mining Roadmap and global safety standards (GISTM). Discussion points include fiscal incentives, such as the zero-rate Mineral Extraction Tax for low-profitability deposits, alongside the critical shift toward “active management” technologies. A live demonstration will showcase the real-time monitoring systems required to secure insurance capacity and meet international safety standards.

Format: Presentations and panel discussion 

Under the 2026 Tax Code and parallel amendments to the Subsoil and Subsoil Use Code, subsoil use contracts in Kazakhstan are being reshaped to tighten state control over strategic resources, formalise “strategic investor” status, and link fiscal terms more closely to investment and processing obligations. Simultaneously Kazakhstan is overhauling mining taxation with a shift from Mineral Extraction Tax to a royalty‑based model, wider incentives for domestic processing, and clarified rules for exploration and subsoil‑use costs. This session will unpack how the 2026 Tax Code and new royalties’ system will work in practice, what it means for project economics and investment decisions, and how companies should adapt their fiscal and regulatory strategies in Kazakhstan’s evolving mining landscape.

Format: Forum moderators will provide a high-level overview of their respective sessions, distilling the key discussion points, participant suggestions, and core feedback.