Historically, Kazakhstan one of the largest zinc and copper producers in the world
A number of medium-to-large open-pit mines which have been in continuous operations since the 60’s or earlier
In total, several billion tons of low-grade waste dumps accumulated over life-time of mines across the country
With open-pit production in decline, the government encourages dump processing to extract remaining metals
Well-developed mining infra-structure and experienced labor force – both locally and country-wide
Prices for raw materials
RECORD PRICES FOR ZINC
Lead shows stability
The copper market has recovered and is growing
Source: London metal exchange
Contract area
Geological takeout area
volume of dumps
Weight of dumps
Contract area
Contract № 44-80-ТПИ from 06.11.2014 for exploration of non-ferrous metals: lead, zinc, copper from industrial dumps of Zyryanovsk mine (preferential right for extraction)
Geological takeout area 2.43 km2
Volume of dumps 87,946.7 thous. m3
Weight of dumps 158,304.1 thous. tons
Contract area coordinates
| North latitude | East longitude | |
| 1 | 49°44’42” | 84°19’00” |
| 2 | 49°44’56” | 84°19’06” |
| 3 | 49°44’27,9” | 84°19’23,2” |
| 4 | 49°43’53,9” | 84°19’2,8” |
| 5 | 49°43’47” | 84°19’19” |
| 6 | 49°43’23” | 84°19’50” |
| 7 | 49°43’00” | 84°19’19” |
| 8 | 49°43’40” | 84°18’17” |
| 9 | 49°44’10” | 84°18’50” |
Zyryanovsk on map
Dumps of Zyryanovsky mine
Dumps were formed during the period 1955 to 1979 by storing off-balance ores and overburden from the Zyryanovsk deposit
Zyryanovsk deposit is one of the richest polymetallic deposits of the USSR
Both the highway and the railway are in immediate proximity. Zyryanovsk is located 160 km from city Ust-Kamenogorsk on the highway and 183 km on the railway
Zyryanovsk factory is located 1 km away from the dumps
There is a lot of skilled labor in Zyryanovsk city
Power line passes through the territory of the dumps
Dumps located on the border of Zyryanovsk city, East Kazakhstan region
kazakhstan – one of the leaders in the market of raw materials
Kazakhstan has produced:
Source: U.S. Geogical Survey, 2014 Minerals Yearbook, Kazakhstan Advance Release
Resources
Dumps are still under review and at present they can be conservatively estimated as follows:
Average value by elements:
| Element | Value | Current metal reserves |
| Zn | 0.25% | 395 760 t |
| Pb | 0.27% | 427 421 t |
| Cu | 0.06% | 94 982 t |