Austrade media release
30 September 2010
Australia has re-engaged with what is now one of the world’s leading transition economies, Kazakhstan, with a series of mining missions to the high-potential nation the first in more than a decade.
Austrade Senior Trade Commissioner for Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States, Dan Tebbutt, said last week's Australian mining mission to Kazakhstan was the second in just three months – and the first joint Austrade/Austmine mission – reflecting growing industry interest in this emerging mining market.
"Kazakhstan's economy is larger than those of all the other Central Asian states and it possesses 15% of the world’s uranium reserves, 8% of its zinc, 7% of the world’s manganese and 4% of the iron ore. Kazakhstan also ranks in the top 10 countries for coal, oil and gas, chrome, zinc and bauxite reserves,” said Mr Tebbutt.
“Kazakhstan's resources sector is focused on increasing productivity, reducing environmental impact and improving community welfare – but it still has a way to go to realise its full potential.
“This is where Australia's contribution as an acknowledged global leader in mining technology and innovation could really support the expansion and development of Kazakhstan's vast resources industry.”
Austmine Executive Officer Robert Trzebski said the joint Austrade/Austmine mining mission provided Australian participants with high-level access to major Kazakh mining companies, decision-makers in the Kazakhstan Government and local distributors, agents and experts.
“More than 12 Austmine member companies participated in the Mining World Central Asia exhibition in Kazakhstan,” said Mr Trzebski.
“Nine went on to participate in a three-city mission that included a site visit to a zinc-lead mine in Ust-Kamenogorsk, meetings with major mining houses Kazakhmys, ENRC and Kazzinc and a visit to the National Mining Institute.”
Participants included Export Award Winner Russell Mineral Equipment (QLD), processing-technology specialists Ludowici (QLD), global metallurgy leader AMMTEC (SA/WA), maintenance equipment manufacturers Hedweld Engineering (NSW) and world-leading software company Micromine (WA).
The mission also included leading engineering procurement construction management (EPCM) companies WorleyParsons and Aker Solutions, which recently won an (approximately) USD 15 million contract for the giant new Bozshakol copper project.
Dan Tebbutt (Austrade), Robert Trzebski (Austmine) and mission participants are available for interview.
ENDS
Media contact
Samantha Mattila ph: + 61 (0) 2 9392 2388 m: + 61 (0) 434 567 673< /p>
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