The main task of the National Project is to increase the investment attractiveness of geological exploration

Vice-Minister Talgat Momyshev made a report on the results of the geological industry for 2021 and tasks for 2022 at an expanded meeting of the Board of the Ministry of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources today.

"The mission for the development of the geological industry is to increase the geological knowledge of the territory of Kazakhstan in order to replenish the mineral resource base for the active development of all industries of the country," he said in his speech and announced the main tasks:

- conducting a state geological study of the subsoil in order to increase the study of the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan and assess the forecast mineral resources;

- monitoring of the mineral resource base, monitoring of groundwater and hazardous geological processes;

- formation of geological information;

- conducting a state examination of the subsoil;

- issuance of licenses for geological exploration of the subsurface and the use of subsurface space.

In 2021, the state budget financing amounted to 12.7 billion tenge, including 11.4 billion tenge allocated for the state geological study of the subsoil.

Works on the state geological study of the subsoil were carried out at 79 sites, of which: regional geological survey – 28, prospecting for solid minerals - 14, prospecting and evaluation work - 2, predictive metallogenic and generalizing thematic work - 8 and drawing up a hydrogeological map - 1.

At the same time, in 2021, the implementation of the Eurasia project was launched, to study the deep structure of the Caspian basin, to identify promising oil and gas facilities at great depths up to 18-20 km and to assess resources. The project is divided into 3 stages. At the first stage, the analysis and re-processing of all available geological and geophysical data on the Caspian Basin using new approaches and interpretation technologies will be continued at the expense of state funds. The second and third stages will be implemented at the expense of private investments.

Work has also been carried out on the regime and balance of groundwater monitoring at 4004 observation points in all regions of the republic.

Work has been completed in Mangystau, North Kazakhstan, Karaganda, Zhambyl regions on the regime and balance of groundwater monitoring, as well as on conducting observations at 12 posts for the study of earthquake precursors.

In addition, as a result of geological exploration at the expense of subsoil users, 28 deposits (hydrocarbons - 7, solid minerals – 13, groundwater – 8) were put on the state balance for the first time in 2021. 84 licenses for geological exploration of the subsurface and 6 licenses for the use of subsurface space were issued.

In order to increase the geological study of territories, for sustainable replenishment, development and support of the mineral resource base, on behalf of the Head of State, a National project "Sustainable economic growth aimed at improving the welfare of Kazakhstanis" was developed, which contains the direction "Development of the geological industry". The main task of the National Project is to increase the investment attractiveness of geological exploration.

Also, as part of the implementation of the Message of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, a Government decree was adopted on the creation of the National Geological Service (NGS), through the reorganization of LLP "RCGI "Kazgeoinform" and JSC "NGC "Kazgeology".

The activities of the NGS will be aimed at forming a program for the management of the subsoil fund, providing the market with high-quality competencies and services in the field of geological exploration for drilling wells, geophysical research and other types of work, administration of the information system of the National Data Bank of Mineral Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan and ensuring the safety of geological information.

In conclusion, T. Momyshev outlined priority tasks for 2022:

- implementation of the National Project for the Development of Geological Exploration for 2021-2025;

- carrying out the state geological study of the subsurface at 101 objects;

- continuation of work on the study of the deep horizons of the Caspian Basin (Eurasia project);

- implementation of measures to create a National Geological Survey;

- participation in the formation of the State Subsoil Fund Management Program;

- completion of work on delineation of deposits of solid minerals for inclusion in the auction.