Azamat is an environmental specialist with over 15 years of professional experience supporting large-scale projects in the mining, energy and infrastructure sectors across Central Asia. His work focuses on environmental and social impact assessment, environmental management, regulatory compliance and environmental monitoring for complex industrial projects.
He has extensive experience preparing environmental documentation and technical reports in accordance with national legislation as well as international standards applied by financial institutions and mining companies. Azamat has participated in environmental audits, project due diligence and the development of environmental management systems, procedures and internal corporate standards.
His professional experience includes working with mining projects at different stages of development, from early project studies to operational support, with a particular focus on environmental risk management, permitting and interaction with governmental authorities.
Water Risk and the Future of Mining in Central Asia
Central Asia is one of the most water-stressed regions in the world, while at the same time remaining an important global mining province for commodities such as gold, copper, uranium and iron. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan host some of the largest mining operations in Eurasia and continue to attract significant investment in exploration and new mine development. However, the availability, quality and long-term reliability of water resources are increasingly becoming critical factors influencing the future growth of the mining sector in the region.
Water plays a key role at every stage of mining operations, including mineral processing, dust suppression, tailings management and supporting infrastructure. Many mining districts in Central Asia are located in arid and semi-arid environments where water resources are limited and competition between industrial use, agriculture and community needs is growing. Climate change, glacier retreat in the Tien Shan and Pamir mountain systems, and the uneven distribution of transboundary water resources are expected to further increase pressure on water availability in the coming decades.
In parallel, water governance in the region is evolving. Both Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are strengthening regulatory frameworks for water management and water use. In 2025 Uzbekistan adopted a new Water Code, while Kazakhstan updated its national Water Code, introducing stricter requirements for water use, monitoring and protection of water resources.
This presentation will provide an overview of key water risks facing the mining industry in Central Asia, with a focus on Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. It will review regional water availability trends, typical water consumption in different mineral processing technologies, and operational challenges related to water supply, recycling and tailings storage. The presentation will also discuss how tightening water regulation and increasing water scarcity may affect future mining projects, permitting processes and investment decisions in the region.
