Tokayev launches construction of 300,000-tonne copper smelter in Abai region

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev launched construction of the Aktogay copper smelting plant via a video link. The plant is being built in the settlement of Aktogay in Abai region. Addressing the ceremony participants, the President called the metallurgical enterprise one of the most important projects. Tokayev described the construction as a result of active work in the mining and metallurgy sector, and recalled that in his previous year's Address to the Nation he had spoken about the strategic importance of the industry for Kazakhstan.

The plant will have a capacity of 300,000 tonnes of cathode copper per year, which will fully meet domestic market demand. Tokayev said Kazakhstan will enter the top ten global producers of high-quality refined copper, and the plant will also produce gold and sulphuric acid. The country has more than 9,500 deposits, with about 160 million tonnes of ore mined annually and around 3.5 million tonnes of copper concentrate produced. Manufacturing output reached 60 billion dollars last year, and over the past three years 540 industrial projects have been implemented across all regions, creating around 50,000 permanent jobs.

Tokayev told the enterprise's shareholders to meet all legitimate social needs of workers. He urged wide adoption of digital technologies and artificial intelligence in industry. Quality construction work and compliance with set deadlines were named as priorities. He also expressed gratitude to Kazakh specialists and Chinese partners taking part in the project.