The AIFC is launching a specialized platform to attract investment in early-stage exploration projects
Today, 65% of Kazakhstan’s territory remains geologically underexplored. Around 3,000 exploration licenses have been issued in the country, and their development requires attracting investment. At the same time, the limited confirmation of reserves in accordance with international standards JORC and KAZRC1 constrains access to financing for certain projects. In this context, the launch of the Junior Mining Platform is aimed at creating more favorable conditions and reducing barriers to investment in geological exploration.
Ahead of MINEX Kazakhstan 2026, the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC, the Centre) announced the launch of the Junior Mining Platform, a dedicated platform designed to attract investment into early-stage geological exploration projects. The initiative and the opening of applications for junior mining companies (enterprises specializing in early-stage geological exploration) were announced during the first meeting of the AIFC Mining Experts Council (Council).
The Council has been established as an advisory body under the AIFC and is aimed at supporting the development of Kazakhstan’s mining and metals sector through the introduction of modern financial instruments and the attraction of private capital.
The Council brings together leading industry participants, with representation from national companies, international investors, and the AIFC. Members include Nariman Absametov, Chairman of the Management Board of Tau-Ken Samruk National Mining Company JSC; Yerlan Galiyev, Chairman of the Management Board of National Geological Service JSC; Aida Alzhanova, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Solidcore Resources; Said Sultanov, Founder of Aurora Minerals Group; Tim Barry, Chief Executive Officer of Arras Minerals Corp.; Zhanbolat Kakishev, Chief Product Officer of the AIFC Authority; and others.
The Junior Mining Platform is an initiative through which the AIFC acts as a bridge between junior mining companies and investors. The platform creates a structured pipeline of projects that undergo preliminary screening and selection against a set of criteria, followed by a presentation to international and domestic investors. Thus, the platform provides investors with access to various projects in the mining and metals industry, and license holders with access to capital.
Zhanbolat Kakishev, Chief Product Officer of the AIFC Authority, noted: “Today, the sector’s main challenge is the lack of structured access to capital at the early stages. The Junior Mining Platform is designed to address precisely this issue. We are creating a transparent and accessible environment where projects can secure financing at an early stage, while investors can gain access to a database of projects selected according to industry-recognized criteria.”
According to the AIFC Insight report “Kazakhstan as a Minerals Investment Hub: Unlocking Potential through the AIFC,” Kazakhstan has substantial resource potential. In 2024, the mining sector accounted for 12.1% of GDP and approximately 33% of the country’s total exports. Kazakhstan holds significant reserves of copper, gold, chromium, rare earth metals, and other minerals. Metallurgy and mining projects account for 17% of Kazakhstan’s total foreign direct investment, or $3 billion, while global capital demand in the extractive industry is projected to reach $2.1 trillion by 2050.
Today, 65% of Kazakhstan’s territory remains geologically underexplored. Around 3,000 exploration licenses have been issued in the country, and their development requires attracting investment. At the same time, the limited confirmation of reserves in accordance with international standards JORC and KAZRC1 constrains access to financing for certain projects.
In this context, the launch of the Junior Mining Platform is aimed at creating more favorable conditions and reducing barriers to investment in geological exploration.As part of the initiative, the AIFC plans to introduce financial instruments widely used in international practice, including royalty2, streaming3, earn-in agreements4, and others. This will help establish a clear model of interaction between junior mining companies and investors and improve the conversion of early-stage projects into investment-attractive assets.
It should also be noted that since 2019, the Astana International Exchange has operated a listing segment for mining companies from Kazakhstan and the broader region, including both large mining companies at advanced stages of development and junior mining companies.
Junior companies may apply to participate in the Platform project and review the selection criteria on the official AIFC website via the link.
Reference:
The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) is an independent jurisdiction where
investors and businesses meet emerging opportunities of Kazakhstan and Central Asia in a
transparent and sustainable environment backed by the principles of English Common Law.
AIFC Press Office,
Ainur Issabayeva, press secretary
E-mail: [email protected]
1JORC – The Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (‘the JORC Code’) is a professional code of practice that sets International standards for Public Reporting of minerals Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves.
KAZRC is Kazakhstan’s national public reporting standard for exploration results, mineral resources, and reserves.
2 Royalty financing is a form of funding in which an investor provides capital for project development in exchange for the right to receive a fixed percentage of future revenue or production output. This allows a company to avoid immediate cash repayment and instead settle the obligation through a share of future production.
3Streaming is an agreement under which an investor, typically a streaming company, makes an upfront payment to finance a project in exchange for the right to purchase a certain share of future production from the deposit at a pre-agreed fixed price. This enables the subsoil user to secure significant funding during the exploration phase without taking on bank debt.
4Earn-in agreement is a contract under which an investor earns the right to acquire an interest in a mining project or asset only after completing a specified volume of exploration work or investing a fixed amount in the development of the license area over a defined period. This mechanism is widely used in junior mining, as it allows the license holder to advance the project using a partner’s resources while retaining control over the asset.
