Kazakh government to allocate 40.7 bln tenge to finance geological exploration projects in 2026The government of Kazakhstan will provide over 40.7 billion tenge from its reserves for comprehensive geological exploration work in 2026, the government’s press service said.Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov signed the corresponding decree on Monday, according to the press service.“The funds will be used to launch 20 second-generation geological survey projects at a scale of 1:50,000 (GS2-50). The work will cover about 100,000 square kilometers, or roughly 5,000 square kilometers per project,” the statement said.The GS2-50 program provides for the use of modern geophysical, remote sensing and geochemical methods, as well as digital data processing. Airborne geophysical surveys and field work — including geochemical sampling and the excavation of pits and trenches — are scheduled for 2026. Preliminary laboratory analysis of samples will be conducted after the field season.Special emphasis will be placed on detailed studies of newly identified and previously known ore zones and prospective areas, as well as on the evaluation of ore deposits and the estimation of forecast resources. The data obtained will serve as the basis for subsequent prospecting and detailed exploration.The geological surveys will be carried out in the Akmola, Aktobe, Almaty, East Kazakhstan, Karaganda, Kostanay, North Kazakhstan, Mangistau, Turkestan, Abay and Ulytau regions.In addition, six 2D seismic exploration projects are planned in the Shu-Sarysu and North Torgai sedimentary basins, which remain poorly explored and are believed to hold oil and gas potential. The government noted that the current level of geological knowledge does not allow for a reliable assessment of hydrocarbon resources in these areas. Seismic surveys are expected to identify reservoirs that may contain oil and gas deposits and to estimate their potential volumes.All projects are scheduled for completion by the end of 2028. In total, around 240 billion tenge (about $500 million) has been earmarked for state-funded geological exploration over the three-year period.The government said the program will enhance the country’s geological knowledge base, identify promising areas and create conditions for replenishing Kazakhstan’s mineral resource base. (ICE ALMATY)

Fonte notizia: INTERFAX