Construction has officially commenced on the Raygorodok gold processing plant project in the Burabay District of Akmola Region, Kazakhstan, undertaken by Zijin RG Gold, a subsidiary of Zijin Mining.
With a direct investment exceeding $600 million, this project will develop additional capacity to process 10 million tonnes of ore annually. Building on the unique production and engineering expertise gained from the processing plant that has operated successfully at the deposit since 2022, the complex's total mining and processing capacity will rise to 16 million tonnes of ore per year. Once operational, the project will generate an additional 7 tonnes of gold annually, increasing the company's total annual doré gold output from 6 tonnes to over 12 tonnes. This project represents a comprehensive expansion of mining capacity rather than merely the construction of a processing plant; a complete industrial cluster will be established on-site. In addition to the processing plant itself, the project includes the construction of power and water supply systems, tailings management facilities, transport and logistics infrastructure, maintenance and warehouse complexes, and a comfortable rotational camp capable of accommodating 400 people.
The project also places a strong emphasis on adhering to international industrial safety standards and environmental responsibility. RG Gold’s advanced technologies will ensure the prudent and efficient use of natural resources. The company will also continue to foster social partnerships; local residents make up the majority of the workforce, and specific agreements have been reached with the investor to fund new social projects in the region. For investors and related industries, the project will generate a powerful multiplier effect, stimulating the development of service infrastructure and small businesses.
Zijin Mining places special importance on cultivating local talent. The company has launched a scholarship program to send young people from the region to China for education, after which they will return to work at the mine and processing facilities. Looking ahead, the investor plans to collaborate with universities and colleges in the Akmola Region to train specialists for the new facilities directly within the area. This project is being implemented in accordance with the directives of the President of Kazakhstan regarding attracting investment and improving the national investment climate.
The Akmola Region is steadily consolidating its position as a leading gold mining hub in Kazakhstan. Currently, the region accounts for approximately 54% of the country's total gold production, making it one of Kazakhstan's most important gold-producing areas. This impressive figure is driven by the successful operations of several major industrial enterprises, including RG Gold, Altyntau Kokshetau, and AltynAlmas. However, for investors and the business community, the key signal lies less in current statistics than in the region's large-scale transformation from a model based on raw materials to one focused on high-tech, deep processing. Meanwhile, the Altyn Almas Group is rebuilding and modernizing existing gold processing facilities at Zholbet and Aksu, with a total investment of 23 billion tenge. The full implementation of these pivotal projects will enable the Akmola Region not only to maintain its leading position but also to increase its annual gold processing capacity to 50 tonnes by 2028.
Reprinted from China Gold News