Kazakhstan, Astana, 12 June / Trend D.Mukhtarov /
The government of Kazakhstan intends to provide free access to geological information, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and New Technologies of the Republic of Kazakhstan Aset Isekeshev said.
"In order to create a favourable climate in subsoil use, we plan to adopt international standards and classifications such as JORC, provide free access to geological information, simplify procedures in subsoil use and adopt international standards for investors," Isekeshev said, speaking at the opening of the fourth International Mining and Metallurgical Forum 'Astana Mining & Metallurgy' (AMM-2013) on Wednesday in Astana.
Isekeshev recalled that the rights for subsoil use in Kazakhstan are currently granted through open competition as well as through direct negotiations with the national company or as a measure of state support for an industrial innovation project.
As previously reported, earlier this year the Kazakh president cancelled a moratorium on the granting of mining rights declared in 2008.
"The first competition for granting the rights for subsoil use will be held later this year," Isekeshev said.
The AMM Forum annually brings together the world's political, business, financial and scientific leaders from the mining and metallurgical industry for the development of mutually beneficial partnerships and the introduction of innovation and attraction of investment.
According to preliminary data, the forum gathered with around 700 delegates from all over Kazakhstan and neighbouring countries as well as members of delegations of member countries, ambassadors and representatives of trade missions accredited in Kazakhstan.
The first Kazakhstan conference on scrap of non-ferrous metals as well as similar round tables will be held within two days of the forum. The concept of AMM provides coverage of all matters relating to the full cycle of production processes from exploration, mining and processing to manufacturing of finished products.