Young scientists from Kazakhstan presented research on critical mineral resources at an international conference

Young specialists from the VNIICvetmet branch of the National Center on Complex Processing of Mineral Raw Materials of the Republic of Kazakhstan (NC CPMRM RK) presented research findings on the processing of critical mineral resources at the G.L. Pashkov International Conference on the Metallurgy of Non-Ferrous, Rare, and Precious Metals.

Research in this field aims to address challenges facing the mining and metallurgical industry, such as improving ore processing efficiency, enhancing process control, and reducing the loss of valuable components.

VNIICvetmet possesses extensive experience in mineral processing research. The institute's specialists contribute to the development and optimization of technologies for various processing plants in Kazakhstan, including those serving the Aktogay, Bozshakol, Kamkor, Karchiginskoye, and Zhezkazgan deposits.

Today, this work is being carried out by young researchers from the Laboratory of Mineral Raw Material Processing Tests.

One area of research focuses on the hydrometallurgical production of copper. Nikita Yakushev is investigating how impurities in pregnant leach solutions affect extraction and electrowinning processes within the L-SX-EW technology framework. Since impurities can accumulate in a closed-loop system, monitoring solution composition is crucial for maintaining process stability.

Another key area of the institute's work involves research into the processing of tungsten-bearing raw materials. Accurately determining tungsten content in low-grade processing products is particularly important, as it allows for the assessment of tungsten losses in tailings.

Ilana Yakusheva, a lead engineer at the laboratory, has developed an adapted photometric method for determining WO₃ concentrations in the 0.010–0.05% range. Data obtained using this method can be used to evaluate processing efficiency and identify ways to minimize tungsten losses. Despite differences in subject matter, the young specialists' research shares a common goal: improving the efficiency of critical mineral resource utilization.

The findings were presented at the International Conference on the Metallurgy of Non-Ferrous, Rare, and Precious Metals (named after G. L. Pashkov, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences), held from September 21 to 25, 2026, in Krasnoyarsk at the Institute of Non-Ferrous Metals of the Siberian Federal University. The presentations sparked professional interest and became a topic of discussion among the conference participants.

"Participating in such conferences gives our specialists the opportunity not only to present their research findings but also to discuss them within a professional circle, hear colleagues' opinions, exchange experience, and receive feedback. Such dialogue is particularly important for the further development of research and the search for solutions to pressing operational challenges in the mining and metallurgical industry," noted N. V. Sizikova, Head of the Mineral Raw Material Processing Tests Laboratory at VNIITsvetmet and scientific supervisor of the presenters.

Source: gov.kz/memleket/entities/mps