Kazakh Prime Minister Issues Directives to Advance Geological Exploration and Digitalization Efforts
Astana, The Gulf Observer: Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov has issued a series of key instructions aimed at enhancing geological exploration and modernizing geological data management across Kazakhstan, according to media reports.
Speaking at a government meeting on Tuesday, Bektenov directed the Ministry of Industry and Construction to prepare design and estimate documentation for a comprehensive 1:50,000-scale geological map covering the entire territory of Kazakhstan by the end of 2025.
Beginning in 2026, the Ministry, in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance, will initiate the use of modern mapping technologies, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), to develop more precise geological maps.
The Prime Minister noted that the results of these efforts will be integrated into the Unified Subsoil Use Platform—a centralized digital system encompassing 22 state services—by mid-2026. This integration is expected to significantly expand investors’ access to geological and subsoil data, thereby improving transparency and investment attractiveness in the sector.
Bektenov also reported that approximately 3.5 million units of primary geological data, previously stored in outdated formats such as paper, magnetic tapes, and photographs, have already been digitized. He instructed the Industry Ministry, in coordination with the Ministries of Finance and Digitalization and the National Geological Service, to complete the digitalization of all historical geological records by the end of next year.
Reaffirming the government’s long-term commitment to the sector, Prime Minister Bektenov emphasized that support for geological exploration remains a strategic priority for Kazakhstan’s economic development. He underlined the importance of increasing funding, improving technological capacity, and creating favorable conditions for both domestic and international investors to ensure sustainable growth in the country’s geological and mining industries.
