Kazakhstan Showcases Mining Investment Potential at PDAC 2026
Kazakhstan has presented the investment potential of its mining and metallurgical sector at the annual Convention of the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada Convention (PDAC), one of the world’s largest international mining forums, held in Toronto, Canada.
The Kazakh delegation was led by Vice Minister of Industry and Construction Iran Sharkhan and took part in the global gathering that brings together thousands of industry leaders, investors, and exploration companies from across the world.
As part of the conference program, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Industry and Construction, in cooperation with the Kazakhstan Mining Chamber and Aurora Minerals Group Limited, organized the international forum Kazakhstan Day. The event, supported by the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Canada, highlighted the country’s geological exploration potential and investment opportunities for international partners.
The forum attracted representatives of leading global and Canadian mining and engineering companies, including Zijin Mining Group, B2Gold, First Quantum Minerals, Hatch, Arras Minerals, and Xcalibur Smart Mapping.
Addressing participants, Sharkhan emphasized that the Kazakh government places particular importance on expanding geological exploration nationwide. He noted that over the next three years, the government plans to allocate approximately $500 million toward geological exploration — an amount exceeding the total state investment made in this sector over the previous three decades.
According to the vice minister, expanding the country’s exploration base and opening new territories for geological study are expected to improve investment conditions and strengthen international cooperation within Kazakhstan’s mining and metallurgical industry. Conference participants were also presented with an overview of major geological discoveries made in Kazakhstan in 2024–2025, alongside successful joint projects implemented in partnership with foreign investors.
On the sidelines of PDAC 2026, Sharkhan held a series of bilateral meetings with executives from Canadian and international mining companies expressing interest in launching new projects in Kazakhstan. Discussions focused on expanding cooperation in the development of critical minerals, introducing advanced exploration and extraction technologies, and implementing joint processing projects utilizing Kazakh raw materials.
Photo credit: Ministry of Industry and Construction.
