All days

Attracting foreign investment and implementing cutting-edge technologies are essential for maintaining competitiveness in the mining sector. Given that only a fraction of the metals mined in Central Asia are processed locally, the future of the mining industry in the region is tied to the establishment of “industrial hubs,” technology parks, and free economic zones. The session will offer a platform to showcase projects aimed at developing value-added production in Central Asian countries and to discuss the prospects for international trade and economic relations.

Due to faster warming than in other regions of the world, subsoil users in Central Asia will have to implement climate change and water management strategies much earlier. According to Harvard University studies, energy diversification is key to effectively addressing climate change and meeting the region’s growing energy demand. Energy resources account for approximately 30% of the total operating costs of mining enterprises. Companies can reduce energy consumption at existing facilities by 15-20% through effective energy management programs and achieve 50% energy savings in the design of new mines. Water is widely used in both underground and surface mining, about 40% in ore processing, about 40% in tailings dams and about 20% in dust control. To ensure the sustainability of mining and processing across the region, mining enterprises must develop water and climate management programs and integrate best available practices and technologies.  To encourage investment in renewable energy sources, local governments should provide long-term assurances and extended planning timelines.

Central Asia is emerging as a global mining powerhouse, endowed with abundant rare earth metals and critical materials essential for the energy transition. Leading mining companies in the region are leveraging cutting-edge technologies and data-driven insights to optimise operations, enhance efficiency, prioritise sustainability, and navigate challenges, showcasing Central Asia as a frontrunner in the global mining landscape.

While Central Asia offers immense mineral potential, challenges such as infrastructure development, evaluation of the investment projects using internationally accepted standards and investment in geological exploration should be addressed to fully capitalise on the region’s resource. This session aims to facilitate discussions on tangible actions and showcase examples of how international collaboration with the local and international financiers is unlocking critical raw materials potential across Central Asia.

Trade and economic ties between Sweden and Central Asian countries are actively developing. One of the priorities for intensifying cooperation is the reproduction of critical metals and minerals in the region to meet the needs of the European economy. The session will examine case studies and development plans for partnerships between Sweden and Central Asian nations, as well as introduce new cooperation opportunities with the major Swedish companies. 

Session organiser – Business Sweden

The UK is the world’s leading financial, trade and technology hub. Shares of 175 mining companies are traded on the London Stock Exchange with a total capitalisation of $472 billion, or 16% of the global capitalisation. The annual turnover of the London Metal Exchange exceeds 15 trillion dollars.  In addition to investments, British companies offer advanced technologies and expertise in assessing and developing mineral deposits, increasing productivity, introducing alternative energy technologies, reducing the environmental impact of mining, water management, etc. The session will examine case studies and development plans for partnerships between the UK and Central Asian nations and introduce new cooperation opportunities with leading British companies and organisations. 

• Increasing the reliability of the results of geological and technological testing in the mining and metallurgical industry in Central Asia.
• Early-stage exploration activities: cost optimisation experience and implementation of modern technologies.
• Cutting edge airborne geophysical technologies.
• Driving sustainable practices through drilling Optimisation.

Identifying and analysing all technical and non-technical issues can help companies to bring the risks to an acceptable level, reduce the cost of finance and increase the overall value. The session will highlight some of the advanced Risk and Hazard Management assessment tools and technology-driven practices which helped companies to ensure sustainable growth and de-risking investments.

Session sponsor: ErAdia

• Investment Proposal for Rare Earth Metal Development from Ak-Tyuz Tailings Dumps.
• Rare Earth Metals Development Opportunity at the Kutessai-II Deposit: A Strategic Investment Proposal.

21 June (Friday)

Visit to Stewart Assay and Environmental Laboratories – Transfer to Kaji  Sai 

Company website https://www.sael.kg

The testing laboratory of Stewart Assay and Environmental Laboratories LLC is an independent analytical laboratory with more than 25 years of experience in the geochemical services market. The company was registered with the Ministry of Justice of the Kyrgyz Republic in 1996. The official opening of the laboratory was in August 1997. The main activity of the Company’s laboratory is technical testing, which includes sample preparation, geochemical analysis, analysis of environmental protection samples and metallurgical testing.

Schedule:

08.30    Departure from the Novotel Bishkek hotel to Kara-Balta (70 km)

10:00    Visit to the Stewart Assay and Environmental Laboratories

• Occupational health and safety briefing
• Lab Visit
• Meetings with the laboratory management

11:30    Departure from the laboratory to the ethno-complex “Supara” (80 km)

13:00    Lunch at the ethno-complex Supara

14:30    Departure from the ethno-complex “Supara” to Kaji – Sai village (291 km)

19:30    Arrival to Kaji – Sai village. Check-in at the Natalia Hotel

20:00    Dinner at the Natalia Hotel

22 June (Saturday)

Visit to Kumtor Mine – Transfer to Bishkek Novotel

Company website https://www.kumtor.kg/en/

05:30    Breakfast at the Hotel Natalia, check-out

06:00    Departure from the hotel on the route Kaji – Sai – Wave (134 km)

07:00    Departure by Volna-Rudnik special transport

09:00    Arrival at the mine. Passing the inspection at the K-15 checkpoint

09.30    Medical examination, introductory briefing, issuance of PPE kit: helmet, goggles, boots, jackets.

10:00    Welcome coffee at the mine administration. Meeting with the management.

11:00    Mining Machinery Workshop

11:40    Quarry: Central Quarry 3990 observation deck; Sary-Tor and the South-West.

12:10    Mill: control room, a tour of the mill sites

13:00    Lunch in the mine canteen. After lunch – departure to the lower sites

13:40    Petrov Lake. The observation deck next to the pumping station

14:00    Tailings dam

14:20    Handover of PPE kits at the mine administration. Passing the inspection, departure of the group from the mine to Bishkek

15:00    Departure of the group from the mine to Bishkek (420 km)

22:00    Arrival to Novotel Bishkek

About Altynken

Altynken website  

The Taldybulak Levoberezhny Gold Mine is some 120 km (75 miles) east of the capital Bishkek 

The Taldybulak Levoberezhny Gold Mine operated by Altynken, is the third-largest gold mine in Kyrgyzstan, located in the Westen Tianshan Mountain gold-copper mineralization zone, known as the Golden Belt of Central Asia. It has a throughput of 2,500 tonnes per day. Zijin Mining holds a 60% interest in the project, and Kyrgyzaltyn JSC holds the remaining 40%.

 About ErAdia

Corporate profile

The company specialises in producing and selling non-electric initiation systems and ⁠electronic detonators.

21 June (Friday) 

09:00 Departure from Novotel Bishkek. Transfer to Taldybulak Levoberezhny Gold Mine 

11:00 Arrival to Taldybulak Levoberezhny Gold Mine. H&S briefing.  

11:00 Mine site visit.  

13:00 Lunch and informal meetings with the company management  

14:30 Departure for Bishkek  

15:30 Visit to historic nomadic site. Refreshments 

17:30 Arrival to Novotel Bishkek