Focus of the Issue: Russian Vector
Information on Subsoil Becomes Open
Mr. Bazarbai Nurabayev, Chairman of the Committee of Geology and Subsoil Use of the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies
Mr. Bazarbai Nurabayev, Chairmanof the Committee of Geology and Subsoil Use of the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies
For the years of independence, the mineral resources sector of Kazakhstan fully adapted to the requirements of the world market. Having the significant mineral reserves, Kazakhstan is a major exporter of energy feedstock, ferrous, non-ferrous and noble metals. Given the significant role of the mineral-raw-material base in the country's economy, a serious assessment of its status is required at the present stage. This is determined by the fact that currently, there is an acute shortage of many priority minerals, as the production rates were streets ahead of the reserve replacement in the difficult transition period.
The President of the Republic of Kazakhstan placed particular emphasis on the geology in his message to the people of the country named "Kazakhstan's way-2050: one goal, common interests, common future". It has been said that our subsoils are not explored as it should, and there are still great opportunities on the reserves increment. The message also identifies the tasks of entering into the world service market in the field of exploration, as well as attracting the investment and developing the rare metals industries.
V.A. Park, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Ecology of the RF,
Meeting A.K. Klimov, Director of FGUNPP Rosgeolfond.The package of geology reforms is provided for implementation of the President’s orders. These reforms were reflected in the Geology Development Concept up to 2030 and the Exploration Programme for 2015-2019. In particular, the feature of the planned work is an introduction of the technologically advanced methods into the geological survey process, such as performance of the early airborne geophysical operations, introduction of the geochemical mapping method by the shape method, based on the high-accuracy research, as well as the use of the Earth's remote sensing results. The work is already performed using the budget funds.
The Committee of Geology and Subsoil Use of the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies (MINT) works closely with colleagues from the Russian Federation concerning the transfer of geological and geophysical data, stored in the Rosgeolfond since the days of the former Soviet Union. Within the framework of the "Minex" Forum, the Committee of Geology and Subsoil Use, together with the Kazgeology national company held a fruitful meeting with the colleagues from JSC Rosgeo. After the meeting, the agreements on the establishment of a joint working group was reached concerning the Caspian Depression within the framework of the "Eurasia" project, as well as concerning the joint venture between JSC Rosgeo and JSC Kazgeology.
Work is being done on improving the legislation in the field of subsoil use, including a radical simplification of the procedures for granting exploration mining rights. Draft Law “On Introduction of Amendments and Additions to the Several Legislative Acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the Subsoil Use" is currently under consideration of the Majilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Meeting with Y.A. Podturkin, Chairman of the State Commission on Mineral Reserves of the RF.
The basis for the exploration work is the study of the materials of the past. Here it should be mentioned that the administrative barriers, hindering the work of investors, were removed to the maximum. So, earlier it would require 240 days to provide information. The RK Government Decree, approved in October 2013, regulates the issues of past costs valuation. Terms of their preparation were reduced up to 7 days. The RK Government Decree, signed in the current year, will allow to identify the geological information cost on the one-day term.
The forthcoming competitions concerning 150 subsoil use objects (prospects) will be held in accordance with the bonitet system of past costs valuation due to the cancellation of the ban (moratorium) on the subsoil use rights acquisition. In addition, the user access to the geological materials for the purpose of their studying was restricted by the regulations of the General Prosecutor’s Office. This issue was resolved, and in accordance with the amendments, approved by the Government Decree No. 251 as of March 11, the use of geological information for the purpose of studying became possible on the basis of the competent authority’s permission.
Meeting with R.S. Panov, General Director of OJSC Rusgeology
Today, one of the most actual variations of openness for information provision are the Internet resources. In 2014, the "Interactive Map" geo information system of employed and available contractual territories for the solid minerals is created on the Web portal of the Committee of Geology and Subsoil Use of the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies at (www.geology.gov.kz) for the purpose to enhance the investment attractiveness of geology.