The people who make the copper heart of the Great Steppe beat

The first large-scale mining works started on the Zhezkazgan copper deposit. Processing of copper ore into finished products was performed at Sarysuiskaia Enrichment Factory by Spasskoe JSC, which was headed by the Englishman Leslie Urkart. The company was nationalized after the October Revolution in the 1920s.

Academician Mikhail Petrovich Rusakov discovered the Konyrat copper deposit, which became the basis of the Balkhash complex.

First non-ferrous metallurgy of Kazakhstan. On October 18, the first coarse copper from Zhezkazgan ores was issued.

In 1927 the work of K.I. Satpaev “Karsakpaiskii raion i ego perspektivy” [Karsakpaiskii region and its prospects] was published. There the scientist proves the fundamentality and importance of the study and exploration of the Zhezkazgan deposit. In 1929, the geological exploration was entirely entrusted to the scientist.
By the end of 1931, a team of geologists led by K.I. Satpayev had proved the presence of large deposits of copper in Zhezkazgan, many times greater than the predictions of the Geological Committee.

Launch of the Konyrat mine.

Balkhash heat and power plant (BTETS) was put in operation.

In April 1931, the board of Tsvetmetzoloto of the Supreme Council of the National Economy of the USSR decided on the construction of a pyrometallurgical plant in the area of Lake Balkhash.
On April 23, 1938, the first copper concentrate at Balkhash Enrichment Factory was issued.
On November 24, 1938, the first coarse copper from the Pribalkhash’e Ores was received in Balkhash, and the anode copper was poured in the same year.

On February 10, 1938, by Order no. 50 of the People’s Commissariat of Heavy Industry of the USSR, it was ordered to proceed immediately to the design of the new plant. It provided for the design and construction of Zhezkazgan Combine with new mines, enrichment factories, a new city and a copper smelter. The factory and the first five mines and quarries began work in 1943, and final construction was completed in 1958.

On 21 March, 1941, by order no. 52 of the State Trust Karagandashakhtostroi on the basis of mechanical workshops the repair and rental base (RPB) was organized.
In 1948, the repair and mechanical plant (RMZ) was established on the basis of the RPB.
In 1956, the RMZ was renamed Karaganda Machine Building Plant-2 (KMZ).
In March, 1966, KMZ was renamed the Mine Equipment Repair Plant (ZRGSHO).
Since 1 September, 1997, it is known as Karaganda Foundry Machine Building Plant (KLMZ).

During the Great Patriotic War, the tanker-building industry required the production of molybdenum. Starting from May, 1942, the factory began to issue metal. In March, 1942, the factory gave out the first production of colour roller. Of every 100 tons of molybdenum mined for the tank armour in the Soviet Union during the war, 60 tons went to Balkhash Copper Smelter.

In September, 1949, by a decision of the Council of Ministers of Karaganda region, land was allocated for the construction of Karaganda Power Station-2 (GRES-2).
The first phase of the power station was put into operation on 12 June, 1962, with the launch of the first turbo-generator. The last generator was commissioned in September, 1968.
GRES-2 was the first power plant in Kazakhstan to install 100 MW turbines.

Commissionong of Zhezkazgan enrichment factory-1 (ZHOF-1).

By order of the Council of National Economy of Karaganda Economic Administrative Region of the Kazakh Autonomous Region, the formation of Dzhezkazgan Mining and Metallurgical Combine (DGMK) was approved on 16 July.
The composition of the combine included: Dzhezkazgan Ore Board, Dzhezkazgan Copper Smelting Plant (DMZ), Karaganda Karaganda Machine Building Plant (KMZ). V.V.Gurba was appointed the first director (headed until 1981).

October 4 - Balkhash Oxygen Production Plant was launched.

On 25 May - Design Department of Balkhash Mining and Metallurgical Combine (PKO BGMK)) was established. In 1999 it was renamed the Design Center of the Combine.
From 2008 to 2012, it was part of the Head Project Institute of Kazakhmys Corporation as Balkhash Project Office.
Since 2012 it has been part of Kazakhmys Smelting as the Project Center.

In 1959, by a decision of the Council of Ministers of the USSR, it was decided to build Karagaily Enrichment Factory.
From 1978 to 1983, during the construction period, a capacity of 1.6 million tons per year was introduced for ore processing (design capacity is 2 million tons per year).
In 1978, 50% of the factory was put into operation. In 1982, the second line of the factory commissioning was 15%.
Due to the economic situation in the country, the factory was shut down in 1992. In 2004 Kazakhmys began reconstruction work.


Zhezkazgan Heat and Power Plant (ZHTETS) was put into operation.

The North Zhezkazgan mine was commissioned in August.

Commissioning of Zhezkazgan Enrichment Factory-2 (ZHOF-2).

The East Zhezkazgan mine 55 was commissioned.

The South Zhezkazgan mine was launched in August..

On 30 March, Zhezkazgan Mining and Metallurgical Trust was organized on the basis of Zhezkazgan Mining Departments 1 and 2. It became the main contractor for the construction of the underground part of the mines.

The East Zhezkazgan mine 57 was commissioned.

February 23 - date of issue of the first cathode copper at Zhezkazgan copper smelter.

The «Sayak-1» quarry was put into operation. As underground mine «section Sayak-1» has been functioning since 2001.

The «Sayak-3» quarry was put into operation. As underground mine «section Sayak-3» has been functioning since 1998.

The exploration and exploitation of the Borly Kuu-Checkinskii section commenced. On 1 April, 1980, the “Molodezhnyi” coal section was formed on the basis of this section.

Commissioning of Zhezkazgan Enrichment Factory-3 (ZHOF-3) (since 24 June, 2013, its activity has been suspended).

“KAZKAT” copper rod factory started in Zhezkazgan on 3 November.

JSC Zhezkazgantsvetmet was transferred to the management of South Korean corporation Samsung Deutschland GmbH. The decision of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan was taken with a view to attracting investors, investments and best practices of foreign experience in raising factories that were in a bad state after the break-up of the USSR. From that point on, this corporation took over the management of Zhezkazgantsvetmet for five years.

JSC Balkhashmys was established.

4 April - Copper and Enamel Manufacturing Shop opened at Balkhashmys (Balkhash).

On 24 May, the new mine “Annenskii” was put into operation as part of Zhezkazgantsvetmet.

In September Zhezkazgan Heat and Power Plant (ZHTETS) became part of Zhezkazgantsvetmet.

On 7 February, Balkhashmys (Balkhash Mining and Metallurgical Plant) was transferred under Samsung Deutschland GmbH.

On 1 April, a precious metal factory was established as part of Balkhash Mining and Metallurgical Plant. Production started in September 1997.

On 8 May, East Kazakhstan Copper and Chemical Combine (VKMKHK) and Zhezkent Ore Processing Plant (Zhezkent GOK) were transferred to trust management of Kazakhmys Corporation.

On 11 July, Zhezkazgantsvetmet was renamed OJSC Kazakhmys Corporation (AOOT Kazakhmys Corporation).

On 30 August, the furnace “Kaldo” at Balkhash copper smelter was put into operation. Issuance of the first commercial silver was performed on 5 September, 1997, the first commercial gold was issued on 27 November, 1997.

In September the Power Station-2 (GRES-2) in the city of Topar and Balkhash Heat and Power Plant (TETS) became part of Kazakhmys Corporation.

Also in September Kazakhmys Corporation acquired the Borly coal deposit (Karaganda region).

On 17 December, Fuel and Energy Complex (TEK) of Kazakhmys was established.

Kazakhmys Corporation acquired the controlling share of Zhezkazgangeologiia.

The Nikolaevskii and Artem'evskii mines were transferred under the management of Kazakhmys Corporation(East Kazakhstan region).

Itauz quarry, the North Zhezkazgan mine, was put into operation in July.

Commencement of work on the ores of the Zhylandinsk Group of Deposits.

On June 26, Kazakhmys Corporation (AOOT) was renamed OJSC Kazakhmys Corporation.

The following mines of the former Irtysh Polymetallic Combine were acquired: Belousovskii Ore Mine with Enrichment Factory, Irtysh Mine, Berezovskaiia Enrichment Factory, Irtysh Copper Smelter (East Kazakhstan region).

In June the branch VostokKazmed’ was established, which included Belousovskaiia and Berezovskaiia Enrichment factories, East Kazakhstan polymetallic ore deposits – Berezovskoe, Irtyshskoe, Iubileino-Snegirikhinskoe and Anisimov kliuch.

On the Saiak mine (Balkhash), underground mining began.

On 20 January, East Zhezkazgan Mine 73/75 (VZHR) was put into operation.

In April, East Kazakhstan Geological Exploration Party, a branch of OJSC Zhezkazgangeologiia, was established.

Karaganda Foundry (KLZ) began operations on 1 April.

On June 30, Zhezkazgan Enrichment Factory put into operation a workshop on production of. xanthogenate.

The Shatyrkul mine started in July (construction started in 1999), processing at Balkhash Enrichment Factory.

Zhezkazgan Prefabricated Concrete Products Factory moved to the Corporation.

Development of the first stage of the Zhaman-Aibat mine (later renamed the Zhomart Mine).

The new Zhartas quarry of the North Zhezkazgan Mine (SZHR) was put into operation.

The Corporation acquired Karaganda Foundry and Machine Building Plant (KLMZ).

In July, Balkhash Copper Smelter launched dry electron filters to clean air heavy particulate matter up to 98 per cent and above. Upgraded as part of the environmental programme of Balkhash Mining Iron and Steel Works for the construction of a sulfur anhydride recovery facility.

On 22 October, work began on the Kipshakpai North Zhezkazgan Mine (SZHR) quarry.

The opening of the Sarioba quarry.

In January, Zhezkazgan Enrichment Factory began to receive ore from the Sarioba quarry.

In March, reconstruction of the main smelter (Vanyukov furnace 1 (PV-1) liquid melting technology) was completed at Balkhash copper smelter.

On 28 July, on the basis of the decision of the general meeting of shareholders of OJSC Kazakhmys Corporation was renamed JSC Kazakhmys Corporation.

Launch of the Karashoshak quarry (Zhezkazgan region) on 10 September.

On 27 December, JSC Kazakhmys Corporation formed a structural subdivision Zhezkazgan Mining Iron and Steel Works (ZHGMK)), which included enterprises of the Zhezkazgan Industrial Site.

Beginning of the Nurkazgan Copper Deposit (Karaganda region).

On 21 February, Balkhash Copper Smelter launched the second smelter on the Vaniukov liquid bath (PV-2) technology.

July 15 – KSS International PLC registration date.

On 2 June, the first ladle of ore was raised in the new Abyss mine (Karaganda region).

The Stepnoi mine (Zhezkazgan) was commissioned.

Construction of the Nurkazgan mine.

Start of reconstruction works on Karagaily Enrichment Factory after long downtime since of 1992. The rehabilitation project was carried out by Kazakhmis Corporation Project Institute.

JSC Kazakhmys Corporation was renamed LLC Kazakhmys Corporation.

On July 14, the structural unit Karagaily Mining and Processing Plant was established as part of Kazakhmys Corporation based on Karagaily Enrichment Factory and the Abyz Mine including the Akbastau mine and the Kusmuryn mine.

Also, on July 14, Zhezkent Ore Processing Plant (ZHGOK) was established.

On October, Kazakhmys became the first Kazakh company to place its shares in London stock exchange. In December 2005, the company was included in the list of the largest listing companies in UK - FTSE 100.

October 12 - initiation of the processing of copper-pyrite and copper-zinc ore of the Abyss deposit at Karagaily Enrichment Factory.

The Zapadnyi mine (Zhezkazgan region) was commissioned.

On 3 March, the first ore at the Zhomart mine was received (the Zhaman-Aibat deposit).

On 1 April, the first Kusmuryn mine ladle was shipped to Karagaily Enrichment Factory.

Mining of ore on the Artem'evskii mine (East Kazakhstan region) started.

Demonstrating its commitment to promoting economic development of Kazakhstan, Kazakhmys started trading shares on the Kazakhstan stock exchange.

On October - Formation of Karagandatsvetmet Production Association – the structural subdivision of LLC Kazakhmys Corporation. The division included Karaganda Foundry and Machine Building Plant (KLMZ), Karaganda Foundry (KLZ), the Borly Coal Department.

Karagaily Enrichment Factory was reconstructed for additional ore processing of Akbastau and Kusmuryn.

Nurkazgan enrichment Factory (NEF) (Karaganda region) was commissioned.

6 June - Introduction of the Sulphur Acid Workshop (SKTS) of Balkhash Copper Smelter.

Introduction of the Vostochnaiia Sary-Oba mine in Zhezkazgan region.

Introduction of Karashoshak (mining quarry since 2008, underground mining since 2016 year) in Zhezkazgan region.

On 15 January, Kazakhmys Metallurgical Complex was established, including Balkhash and Zhezkazgan copper smelters.

Nurkazgan mine was commissioned.

Kazakhmys has concluded contracts for receiving credit lines over $4 billion provided by the Development Bank of China and the National Welfare Fund “Samruk-Kazyna”.
Funds were allocated to projects to expand production, in particular for the construction of the main projects: Bozshakol’ and Aktogai.

The Kazakhmys Group of Companies was awarded the international status of Good Delivery (reliable delivery).
The status is given to standard ingots of excellent quality and high precious metal sample with the brand of authoritative accredited manufacturer.

Commissioning of the Kipshakpai Mine in Zhezkazgan Region.

The Kazakhmis Group was recognized as the best issuer of the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange in the nomination “Striving to transparency”. The company was awarded this honor for the third year in a row (2008-2011).

Completion of secondary listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange as part of an evolving strategy presence in Asia.

The Board of Directors approved the development of the Bozshakol deposit, the largest mining project in the post-Soviet area, both in terms of scale and volume of production.

Commencement of the Aktogai Deposit.

Launch of the Project on Industrial and Occupational Safety in accordance with the world and corporate standards in March.

The official launch of Bozshakol’ - the largest world-class project on July 3.

The beginning of activity of LLC Kazakhmys Smelting, created on the basis of the Metallurgical complex. It included Balkhash Copper Smelter, Zhezkazgan Copper Smelter, Kazkat Plant, Copper and Enamel Plant, Oxygen Plant.

On 8 November, on the basis of Zhezkazgan Heat and Power Plant (ZHTETS), Balkhash Heat and Power Plant (BTETS) and Power Station-2 (GRES-2), the new legal entity LLC Kazakhmys Energy was formed.

On 9 January, LLC Kazakhmys Maintenance Services was created on the basis of the existing LLC Kazakhmys Service since 2007.

On 31 October, with the approval of shareholders and regulators, the Kazakhmys Group was reorganized into two companies: private (non-public) LLC Kazakhmys Corporation and public KAZ Minerals PLC.
The non-public company included enterprises and facilities of Karaganda region and the Shatyrkul mine.
The public company retained hold of the projects of the East Kazakhstan region and the mine in Kyrgyzstan.

Since 2014, at Karaganda Foundry and Machine Building Plant (KLMZ), the modernization of the machine-tool park and production laboratories has begun, a unified system of technological design based on SIEMENS software products has been implemented, complete replacement of computers and office equipment has been carried out.

After the reorganization, both companies operate independently. In order to ensure key production, commercial and other processes, such as mining, primary processing and copper smelting, a number of long-term and service agreements have been concluded between Kazakhstan’s assets of the parties.

On 1 December, a separate legal entity LLC Maker was established on the basis of Karaganda Foundry- Machine- Building Plant (KLMZ).

In December industrial testing (in laboratory conditions) of the technology of hydrometallurgical processing of poor ores of Zhezkazgan deposits was carried out.

On 1 February, the Power Station-2 (GRES-2) left LLC Kazakhmys Energy (Kazakhmys Energy) and established a separate legal entity LLC Main Distribution Power Station “Topar”.

Launch of a new turbo generator no. 8 as part of the modernization of Zhezkazgan Heat Power Plant.

LLC Kazakhmys Coal was created on the basis of the Borly and the Molodezhnyi coal mines.

At Zhezkazgan Copper Smelting Plant (Kazakhmys Smelting) after a 10-year break, the second ore processing furnace (RTP-2) was reactivated.