Kazakhstan leads Central Asia in terms of mineral reserves, offering enormous potential for geological exploration and mining. The country ranks among the top in the world: 1st place for tungsten, 2nd for phosphates, 3rd for manganese, 4th for lead and molybdenum, plus 30% of global chromium reserves and 25% of manganese ore.

Rich subsoil and top deposits
The country’s subsurface holds oil (3.93 billion tonnes of proven reserves), gas, uranium, gold, copper, zinc, lead, and rare metals. Key assets include Tengiz and Kashagan (oil), Karachaganak (gas), as well as the gold‑bearing regions of Eastern Kazakhstan. Diversity—from polymetallic ores to coal—ensures solid diversification.

Stability and business incentives
Political stability, Western‑style Subsoil Code (adapted from Australia and Canada), and tax preferences make Kazakhstan a favorite destination. Investments in exploration since 2023 total 433 billion tenge, with 319 contracts signed. Simplified auctions, AI‑driven data analysis (97.5% digitized), and an “alternative tax” regime extend project horizons up to 25 years.

Logistics and markets
Kazakhstan occupies a unique position: a gateway to Europe, China, and Asia via the Caspian Sea and the Silk Road corridors. Proximity to key markets, combined with infrastructure (pipelines, ports), minimizes transport costs. Over the past two decades, the economy has grown 11‑fold, while FDI in oil and gas has exceeded 70 billion dollars.

Future growth
AI is revealing hidden geological patterns, and aerial surveys over 100,000 square kilometers, plus plans to cover 2.2 million square kilometers by 2026, are opening new frontiers. For BSB Mining, Kazakhstan is an ideal platform: stability plus resources equals high returns.

In Almaty, at the “Geoscience & Exploration Central Asia” forum, Vice Minister of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan Erlan Akbarov spoke about recent measures to attract capital into exploration and hydrocarbon production. According to him, 433 billion tenge has been invested in this sector since 2023, and the number of exploration and production contracts has reached 319.

Key changes for business
The government is implementing the President’s instructions: by 2026, the area of surveyed subsoil will increase from 1.5 to 2.2 million square kilometers. Amendments have been introduced to the laws—defining the term “unconventional hydrocarbons,” simplifying online auctions, and preparing a new contract template with tax incentives for complex projects.

Investors have received concessions: they can now correct errors in applications and relinquish blocks without penalties if drilling has not justified expectations—saving up to 300,000 dollars at this stage. Digitization has delivered results: 11 auctions sold 121 blocks with obligations totaling 55 billion tenge.

Support for projects and oversight
An “alternative tax” regime has been launched for mature fields, extending operating terms up to 25 years. On large projects, the national company takes at least a 50% stake. Over the past two years, 35 oil fields have been launched into production, and gas is already being pumped at Rojkovskoe, Yuzhno‑Aksay and Anabai.

The updated Subsoil Code eases launching operations in new territories. Soon, prospective blocks will be offered at auction, which will ensure Kazakhstan’s energy security for many years ahead. Recall that the Ministry of Energy had previously warned about a possible decline in oil and condensate production in 2026 to 96–98 million tonnes.

An “alternative tax” regime has been launched for mature fields, extending operating terms up to 25 years. On large projects, the national company takes at least a 50% stake. Over the past two years, 35 oil fields have been launched into production, and gas is already being pumped at Rojkovskoe, Yuzhno‑Aksay and Anabai.

Digital transformation is changing the rules of the game in Kazakhstan’s geology, making it more transparent and attractive for investors. Vice Minister of Industry and Construction Zhannat Dubirova shared details: geological data scanning has reached 97.5%, with 4.7 million items processed—from paper maps to old magnetic tapes.

From scanning to intelligence
Scanning is only the starting point, just about 5% of the way. The key goal is to build a semantic layer where AI links data from different periods and uncovers hidden patterns. The project is scheduled to be completed by July 1, 2026.

Implementation at the start
The Ministry of Industry and Construction, together with the National Geological Service and Astana Hub, has launched AI implementation with participation from EPAM Kazakhstan. Domestic companies QazTech and AlemCloud provide the technical backbone: OCR recognizes text, while language models digitize archives. AI is being trained to “think like a geologist,” predicting deposits and analyzing risks.

New tools for professionals
A database with GIS filters, interactive maps, chatbots, and Data Science courses will be rolled out. These tools will accelerate exploration, reduce costs, and increase accuracy—investors will gain access to Big Data to make well‑founded decisions. Earlier, aerial surveys of 100,000 square kilometers of subsoil were announced.