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As the heart of Central Asian gold resources and a top 20 global producer, Kazakhstan boasts over 2,500 tonnes of proven gold reserves and an estimated 12.7 million tonnes of undiscovered resources. Production is primarily concentrated in the northern, eastern, and central regions. With investor-friendly policies—including 100% foreign ownership and tax incentives—Kazakhstan has become a strategic frontier for global mining. This report outlines the core gold resources, regional distribution, and key developers to provide a definitive reference for industrial layout in Central Asia.

I. Distribution of Core Gold Mining Regions

Kazakhstan’s superior metallogenic conditions have formed three core belts and four primary production hubs. Each region varies significantly in deposit type and development scale. Akmola Region stands as the nation’s largest gold producer, hosting over half of the core gold mines.

Akmola Region: Located in the orogenic gold core of the Northern Kokchetav Block. It hosts the country’s largest gold mine and several medium-to-large operational sites. It is a focal point for international firms and home to major projects by Chinese enterprises, such as Zijin Mining.
East Kazakhstan Region: Characterized by associated copper-gold and lead-zinc-gold deposits. This region possesses mature smelting and processing capabilities, serving as the national hub for deep gold processing.
Karaganda Region: The core of the North Balkhash metallogenic belt. It is dominated by magmatic-hydrothermal lode gold deposits with excellent mineralization conditions, seeing a dense influx of new exploration projects in recent years.
North Kazakhstan Region: Primarily composed of placer gold deposits and small-to-medium lode gold mines. Lower barriers to entry make it a preferred location for small-and-medium-sized mining enterprises.

II. Comprehensive List of Core Gold Mines

(A) Ultra-Large Core Gold Mines (Reserves > 300 Tonnes)

1. Vasilkovskoye Gold Mine

Region: Akmola
Key Data: Proven reserves of 370 tonnes; average grade of 2.8 g/t. It is the largest gold mine in Kazakhstan.
Developers: Jointly developed by KAZ Minerals, Kazzinc, and Polymetal.
Capacity: Annual production exceeds 500,000 ounces; dubbed “Central Asia’s most valuable gold asset.”

2. Bakyrchik Gold Mine

Region: Abay
Key Data: Proven reserves of 326 tonnes; average grade of 6.9 g/t. It is the highest-grade ultra-large gold mine in the country.
Developer: Bakyrchik Mining Venture.
Capacity: Equipped with a processing plant capable of treating 2 million tonnes of ore per year; a key site for national mining upgrades.

(B) Large Operational Mines (Leading in Reserves/Capacity & Chinese Investment)

1. Raygorodok (RG) Gold Mine

Region: Akmola
Key Data: Measured + Indicated resources of 241 million tonnes of ore, average grade 1.01 g/t, containing 242.1 tonnes of gold metal. Proved recoverable reserves stand at 100.6 tonnes.
Developer: Zijin Mining (100% equity closing in 2025; the flagship project for Chinese investment in Kazakhstan).
Capacity: The heap leaching system began in 2016, followed by a CIP (Carbon-in-Pulp) plant in 2022. It has robust infrastructure and plans for further expansion.
Highlights: The largest taxpayer in Akmola Region, providing over 1,200 jobs with a strong ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) track record.

(C) High-Potential Exploration Projects (New Discoveries & Growth Assets)

Karaganda NO.3110-EL Gold Mine: Located in the North Balkhash belt. Surrounded by dense polymetallic deposits, professional geological exploration is scheduled to launch in 2026.
Gagarinskoye Gold Mine: Located in the Zhambyl Region. A processing plant is planned for 2026 with an investment of 21 billion Tenge. Proven reserves: 9.4 tonnes; Grade: 5.7 g/t; Planned capacity: 500,000 tonnes of ore per year.
Irtysh Hydrometallurgical Plant Integrated Mine: Located in the Pavlodar Region. Focused on refractory gold ore. Once operational, it will process 300,000 tonnes of ore annually to produce 15 tonnes of refined gold, achieving a localized full-value chain.