Rio Tinto planning to increase activity in Kazakhstan

ASTANA. Sept 18 (Interfax) - Australian-British mining and metallurgical concern Rio Tinto intends to expand its activities in Kazakhstan, the press service of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said following his meeting with the company's chief executive officer Jacob Stausholm in New York.

"During the meeting, issues of implementing joint investment projects in geological exploration, mining and metallurgical industries were discussed. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was informed about Rio Tinto's plans to expand activities in Kazakhstan," the statement said.

Stausholm also spoke about the progress of projects for the exploration of copper deposits in the Kostanay and Karaganda regions.

"The President noted that our country has significant reserves of essential minerals and raw materials that are in demand today for the development of high technologies. Kazakhstan is taking measures to increase the area of geological exploration, as well as introduce best world practices that contribute to significant geological discoveries," the press statement said.

It was previously reported that Rio Tinto, together with JSC Kazgeology, have been conducting geological exploration work to find large copper deposits in Kazakhstan since 2015. In the fall of 2016, Rio Tinto began exploration operations at the Korgantas site in the Karaganda region.

Rio Tinto is engaged in the exploration, extraction and processing of mineral resources, principally aluminum, copper, diamonds, coal, uranium, gold, industrial minerals and iron ore. The company operates worldwide, but the bulk of its activities are concentrated in Australia and North America.