Conference «KAZRC Association and PONEN – A Decade of Activity: Achievements and Prospects»

    On October 15, 2025, at Nazarbayev University (Astana), the KAZRC and PONEN Association, with the support of the School of Mining and Geosciences (SHGDNZ), held an Anniversary Conference dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the introduction of CRIRSCO international standards in Kazakhstan.

    The anniversary conference was held at a high level and brought together over 170 leaders and experts of the mining industry in Kazakhstan and abroad, professors, researchers and students of the SHGDNZ to discuss future trends in the development of the industry and current educational needs.

    The conference was made possible thanks to the support of sponsors — solidcore Eurasia LLP, Kazzink LLP, SLR Consulting KZ LLP, Fonetai-Tai AK Mining LLP, Rio Tinto Exploration Kazakhstan LLP, KAZ Minerals Management LLP, SRK Consulting LLP (Kazakhstan) Limitedand ERG Exploration LLP. Also among the participants were representatives of the Ministry of Industry and Construction of the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as representatives of Cirsco (online), the National Geological Survey, Kazakhmys Corporation, JSC NGK Tau-Ken Samruk, the Republican Association of Mining and Metallurgical Enterprises, the Kazakhstan Chamber of Mines, JSCAdvisory and Research, JSC JV Zarechnoye, Aurora Minerals Group, datamine, Micromine Central Asia LLP, Reko di Mining Company, AIFC, Bass Gold, alidada Engineering Company, Capital Stroy V, MSA-Minerals Consulting, Haller Lomax LLP, Alait LLP, Geos LLP, Drilling Solutions LLP, Onyx-R LLP, SEMTI Consulting Kazakhstan LLP, GeoMineProject LLP, Osmgeology LLP, Vostoktsvetmet LLP, QazaqGranit LLP, MCREAL LLP, JV KATKO LLP, East KAZ Alloys LLP, Ecooptimum LLP, Tumar Minerals, KHAN Tau Minerals, Asbestos hydraulic Fracturing LLP.

    Chairman of the Committee on International Standards of Public Reporting on Mineral Resources and Reserves (CRIRSCO) Garth Kirkham in his welcoming address recalled Kazakhstan's accession to the CRIRSCO community and noted that Kazakhstan can be proud of three key achievements:

1. Data quality and comparability. Quality control, expert review, and full disclosure have made the reports legally sound and relevant to the market.
2. The Institute of Competent Persons and the Ethics Committee. PONEN has created a culture of independence, responsibility and continuous professional development.
3. Integration with the regulatory framework. Kazakhstan became one of the first countries to implement the Code agreed with CRIRSCO into national procedures, thereby creating a common language for geology and business.

He also noted that there were difficulties along the way, including proposals to return to the GKZ system. CRIRSCO respects this history and recognizes its contributions, but to go back would mean a loss of international comparability and investor confidence. The future of the system lies in transparency, standardized data disclosure, and independent expertise. In conclusion, Garth Kirkham expressed gratitude to the partners – the Ministry of Industry and Construction, the Committee of Geology, the National Geological Survey, the KAZRC Association, PONEN, the academic community and industry representatives - for creating a solid foundation for further development.

    During the conference, the participants discussed the key results of the ten-year activities of PONEN and KAZRC, cooperation with CRIRSCO, the development of the institute of Competent Persons and the QMR accreditation system. Special attention was paid to the implementation of international reporting standards, the reform of legislation on subsoil use, professional development and improving the quality of reports. The experts presented global practices in the field of exploration, production and evaluation of mineral resources, reviewed the creation of the Kazakhstan QMVAL asset valuation code and current aspects of ESG reporting. New subsurface use projects, modern exploration technologies, digital data processing solutions and innovative approaches to mining education were also discussed.

   The Public Association "PONEN" represented by Chairman of the Executive Committee Georgy Freiman was awarded with a letter of thanks "For outstanding achievements in the implementation of KAZRC and CRIRSCO standards in the Republic of Kazakhstan" on behalf of Chairman of the Committee of Geology Yerlan Akbarov.

    «PONEN is an internationally recognized professional organization (RPO), along with many other organizations around the world that belong to the CRIRSCO family. Our association has received a wide response abroad - many experts from other countries have joined PONEN. This contributed to the formation of its own institute of Competent Persons who evaluate deposits according to the KAZRC standard. The event once again emphasized the importance of cooperation between universities and industry, professional development and personal connections», said Nikolai Yenshin, Deputy Chairman of the PONEN Executive Committee, representative at CRIRSCO.

You can view the presentations of the speakers: Read