A technology for the integrated processing of polymetallic ores has been developed in the Zhambyl region

Specialists from the Kazmekhanobr State Scientific and Production Association of Industrial Ecology, a branch of the National Center on complex processing of mineral raw materials of the Republic of Kazakhstan, have developed an effective technology for the integrated processing of polymetallic ores from the Gagarinskoye deposit in the Kordai district of the Zhambyl region. The obtained scientific results formed the basis for design decisions for the construction of a new mining and processing plant.

Studies of the deposit's ores began in 2017, and in 2023, specialists continued their work, focusing on improving the technology and increasing the efficiency of extracting valuable components.

During the first stage, mineralogical, chemical, and phase studies were conducted. The results obtained allowed them to determine the forms of occurrence of valuable components and select the most effective methods for their extraction.

The main result was the development of a combined gravity-flotation technology for ore processing. The technology involves the preliminary extraction of free gold and silver, followed by selective flotation of lead and zinc, and subsequent hydrometallurgical processing of the gold-silver-bearing product.

The developed technology enables the production of high-quality concentrates:

• lead concentrate – with a lead content of 45.29%, gold – 67.70 g/t, and silver – 1,539.90 g/t;
• zinc concentrate – with a zinc content of 50.03%, gold – 15.70 g/t, and silver – 413.90 g/t;
• gravity concentrate – with a gold content of 78.90 g/t and silver – 203.10 g/t;
• gold-silver concentrate – with a gold content of 3.61 g/t and silver – 57.80 g/t.

Specialists paid special attention to the complete extraction of precious metals. Research has shown that with intensive cyanidation, the through-flow recovery across the entire process flow is 86% for gold and 88% for silver, while with sorption, it is 87% and 89%, respectively.

As a result, two interconnected process flowsheets were developed: combined enrichment and hydrometallurgical processing of gold-silver-containing products. These provide comprehensive extraction of valuable components and are recommended for industrial implementation.

The next step was the practical application of the research results. In 2025, Kazmekhanobr developed process regulations for the design of a processing plant with a capacity of 1 million tons of ore per year.

Currently, construction of a mining and processing plant is already underway in the Kordai district of the Zhambyl region. The project's implementation confirms the practical significance of the research, its contribution to the development of Kazakhstan's mineral resource base, and the integration of domestic scientific research into industrial production.

Source: gov.kz/memleket/entities/mps/