Georesurs Asia, a company owned by Chinese investors, will conduct geological exploration across 35 blocks totaling 81.3 square kilometers in the Aktogay district of the Karaganda region from 2027 to 2031. The plans were announced in the company's statement on proposed activities as part of public consultations, according to infohub.kz.
"The main objectives of the exploration work are: to clarify the geological structure of the territory; to assess dispersion halos of copper and molybdenum; to assess dispersion halos of polymetallic elements; to map and sample ore-hosting sequences taking into account established ore-controlling factors and exploration indicators; and to trace and sample ore-bearing zones and ore bodies," the statement says.
If the presence of copper and molybdenum is confirmed and the data obtained allow for a preliminary assessment of the ore composition and the mining and geological conditions of developing the deposit, Georesurs Asia will prepare a feasibility study. Based on that, the company will decide whether further development of the site is advisable.
The exploration program will include drilling, mining and geophysical work, as well as other studies.
Drilling volumes will increase until 2030. In 2028, the company plans to drill 2,300 linear meters, in 2029 — 3,100 meters, and in 2030 — 4,200 meters. In 2031, drilling will decrease to 810 meters.
Mining operations are planned throughout the exploration period. In 2027, their volume will be 2,400 cubic meters, in 2028 — 3,100 cubic meters, in 2029 — 4,300 cubic meters, in 2030 — 3,600 cubic meters, and in 2031 — 1,765 cubic meters.
Three CDH-1600 rigs will be used for drilling. Power supply for the field camp will be provided by an Elitech BES8000ETM gasoline generator, while a 17 kW diesel power plant will be used to light the drilling rig.
The company plans to consume about 1.5 tonnes of gasoline and between 20 and 50 tonnes of diesel fuel per year. These volumes are calculated for the entire exploration period.
Based on the exploration results, Georesurs Asia expects to obtain a prompt estimate of inferred resources under international standards and to carry out an enlarged geological and economic assessment of the site.
The site is located about 40 km south of Lake Balkhash. The nearest major settlement is the city of Balkhash. The company received its exploration license on February 21, 2026.
Interest in copper exploration is growing amid high global metal prices: copper quotations on the London Metal Exchange have recently exceeded $14,000 per tonne.
As of the preparation of this publication, the sole owner of Georesurs Asia (Astana) is Yaohua Group (Hong Kong) Co., Limited of China. The company was registered on April 16, 2025. In eGov, its main activity is listed as mining of precious and semi-precious stones, gemstones and amber.