We at EPSE are very proud of our international network of partners. This week we want to introduce you to our appreciated partner from Kazakhstan, AK Altynalmas JSC. Once again, we’ve reached out to our partner, Mr. Bakhrom Dzhalolov to share more about the current problems with wastewater in Kazakhstan.
AK Altynalmas JCS is a group of multiple companies with full geological, mining and gold processing cycles, also engaging in the construction of industrial infrastructure. AK Altynalmas JSC owns 9 deposits in Kazakhstan where gold-bearing ore is mined. This company is one of the top 3 largest gold producers in Kazakhstan in both gold production and resource base.
Our contact person Mr. Dzhalolov works in the Technical Affairs department. This department is primarily responsible for assessing and meticulously accounting for the company’s mineral reserves. Moreover, it oversees the entire production cycle, from the initial stages of prospecting and exploration to ore processing. Ensuring the seamless operation of existing mining and processing infrastructure complexes, as well as spearheading the construction of new facilities, falls under its purview. Additionally, the department conducts thorough research and evaluation of new projects, all while striving to optimize the company’s operational efficiency in the mining and processing of mineral resources.
Here in the Nordics, we can sometimes take the freshwater resources for granted. In areas where the access to clean water is scarcer, communities often come across different types of challenges. AK Altynalmas JSC operations face significant challenges due to the region’s partly arid and sharply continental climate. This results in lack of suitable drinking water and technical water supply. The protection of water resources, their pollution and depletion are a huge problem. When there is not enough water available for consuming, more expensive water supplies need to considered. There have also been cases where a project has been abandoned due to lack of clean water.
Mr. Dzhalolov gave us an example on what working in the mines look like and how the scarcity of clean water can be noticed in the company’s operations. “For example, at a mine in Central Kazakhstan, we must desalinate lake water with a mineralization of more than 3 grams per liter down to 0.5 grams per liter for domestic needs. In some processes, the available water affects the efficiency of processing or even the quality of the final product. There are also problems with the legalization of nearby waters, obtaining permits for freshwater abstraction, e.g. for technical water supply, or due to local communities expressing concern about the shallowing and pollution of water bodies due to the mining operation,” Mr. Dzhalolov explains.
In conclusion, the partnership between AK Altynalmas JSC and EPSE underscores the critical importance of sustainable water management practices in the mining industry, particularly in regions facing water scarcity challenges like Kazakhstan. We are very grateful to have AK Altynalmas JSC as our valued partner, and together, we remain committed to addressing these pressing challenges, ensuring responsible resource utilization, and safeguarding the environment for future generations. Stay tuned for next week’s connections corner, where we will introduce a new partner of ours.