Photo by: Kaz Minerals
Name of the Mine
Aktogay mine.
Location
Abay region of Kazakhstan.
Mine Owner/s
Kaz Minerals, which was wholly acquired by Nova Resources and delisted from the London and Kazakhstan Stock Exchanges in May 2021.
Brief Description
Aktogay is a large-scale, low-cost openpit copper mine.
Brief History
Aktogay started production of copper cathode from oxide ore in December 2015.
First copper production from Aktogay sulphide started in February 2017.
The yearly sulphide processing design capacity was doubled to 50-million tonnes in October 2021, following the commissioning of the mine’s second sulphide concentrator.
Primary Metals/Minerals
Copper.
Secondary Metals/Minerals
Small amounts of molybdenum.
Geology/Mineralisation
Aktogay is, geologically, situated within the Turkestan-Alai metallogenic province, characterised by its copper/gold porphyry deposits. The mineralisation at Aktogay is associated with a large copper/gold porphyry system, which formed during the Paleogene period through magmatic intrusions into the surrounding rocks.
The primary orebody at Aktogay comprises copper sulphides hosted within porphyritic intrusive rocks, typically granite or granodiorite. These sulphides include chalcopyrite, bornite, and chalcocite, which are the main sources of copper. Additionally, gold and molybdenum are present as by-products in the ore.
Reserves
Not stated.
Resources
As at December 2022, Aktogay had mineral resources estimated at 1.92-billion tons, with a copper grade of 0.33%.
Type of Mine
Openpit.
Mining Method
Truck-and-shovel.
Major Infrastructure/Equipment
The Aktogay site has a sulphide ore processing capacity of 50-million tonnes a year from two concentrators.
Equipment includes crushers and conveyors, ore reclaim, grinding mills, flotation cells, loaders, excavators and haul trucks.
Prospects
Aktogay is expected to produce an average of 170 000 t/y of copper from 2022 to 2027.
Contact Details
Kaz Minerals
Tel +44 20 7901 7800
Email info@kazminerals.com
Sources
Kaz Minerals. Website: https://www.kazminerals.com/
Kaz Minerals. Annual Report and Accounts 2020.
Kaz Minerals. Kaz Minerals production and sales report for 12 months and the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2023 (February 21, 2024).