Science and innovation shape the country's future

The leading scientific center in the field of mineral processing - RSE "National Center for Integrated Processing of Mineral Raw Materials of the Republic of Kazakhstan" - celebrates its 30th anniversary with impressive achievements

The National Center for Integrated Processing of Mineral Raw Materials of Kazakhstan, established in 1993, brought together academic and industry institutes known since the Soviet Union: mining, metallurgy and enrichment, chemical and Metallurgical, Oriental Research Institute of Non-Ferrous Metals

The key to diversification

The economy of Kazakhstan retains a pronounced raw material character. A significant place in it is occupied by the extraction of solid minerals: ferrous, non-ferrous and rare metal ores. The rich raw material base itself is a reliable support for the independent development of the republic. But the conditions of the competitive market persistently dictate other approaches to the processing of mineral raw materials: the introduction of more knowledge-intensive, efficient, environmentally friendly integrated technologies typical of innovative industries.

In turn, high-tech processing involves equipment and machinery, which requires modern calculation and design methods, new materials and production methods. The solution of these pressing tasks is possible only in a strong connection between science and the real industrial sector, development scientists and production workers.

Opening the international scientific and practical conference "Innovations and integrated processing of mineral raw materials - the key to economic diversification" in Almaty, Chairman of the Industry Committee of the Ministry of Industry and Construction of the Republic of Kazakhstan Azamat Panbayev focused on the possibilities of modernizing the national economy through deepening the interaction of science and production.

– The mining and metallurgical complex of Kazakhstan is one of the engines of the economy, today the industry accounts for 8.2% of the republic's GDP. The raw material potential contributes to its industrial development and economic growth. In terms of proven reserves of tungsten, the country ranks first in the world, second in chromium ore, and third in lead. The State balance sheet includes about 1,000 deposits of solid minerals. The role of science in their development is irreplaceable," Azamat Panbayev emphasized.

The representative of the ministry also noted the fact that the attitude towards science in Kazakhstan has changed significantly in recent years, and its contribution to the domestic industry allows it to focus on high conversion and processing of local raw materials.

The leading role in the processes of innovative transformation of the industry belongs to the National Center for Integrated Processing of Mineral Raw Materials (RSE "NCPMS RK"). Among the main tasks for his team is the development of integration processes between the scientific community, the industrial sector and the business environment. The mechanisms of such interaction, formed over many years, affect the quality of scientific research and increase the volume of innovations introduced.

In the welcome letter of the Minister of Industry and Construction of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kanat Sharlapayev to the conference participants, the achievements of the national center are marked by specific examples: "Thanks to your innovative projects, for the first time in the world, new technologies such as the production of the osmium-187 isotope, a Kazakhstani ferrosilicon aluminum alloy, as well as an autogenous electrothermal process for lead extraction."

30 years of service to the Motherland

Apart from those mentioned by the Minister, most of the other projects developed at the Center for Integrated Processing of Mineral Raw Materials can be called unique. Many of them were born in response to the urgent demands of industrial enterprises, implemented and operated in Kazakhstan and far beyond its borders.

"Our organization, whose 30th anniversary we are celebrating today, is a leader in the market of scientific and technical services for the mining and metallurgical industry," said Abdurasul Zharmenov, Director General of the National Center, in his speech at the conference. - According to our developments, dozens of enterprises have been implemented and are operating in different countries of the world. This allows us to confidently say that the experience of our professionals is in demand both in Kazakhstan and abroad. But successes don't just happen by themselves - everything we've achieved has been achieved with tremendous effort. And I thank the staff of the center, consisting of all its institutes, for their loyalty to science and their country.

The National Center for Integrated Processing of Mineral Raw Materials of Kazakhstan, established in 1993, brought together academic and industry institutes known since the Soviet Union: mining; metallurgy and enrichment; chemical and Metallurgical; Oriental Research Institute of Non-Ferrous Metals.

Later, it included the scientific and production companies Kazmehanobr and Kazchermermavtomatika. Subsequently, the composition underwent changes as a result of the exit of the Institute of Metallurgy and Enrichment, Kazchermermatomatics and the creation of new structural divisions – the Astana branch and the Metallurgy Center in the East Kazakhstan region.

The first head of the center was Zhantore Nurlanovich Abishev, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor, corresponding member of the Academy of Sciences of the Kazakh SSR, who was posthumously awarded the title of laureate of the State Prize of Kazakhstan. In 1999, he was replaced by Abdurasul Zharmenov, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan (First Vice President. – Editor's note), Academy of Mineral Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Vice-President. – Editor's note), Kazakhstan National Academy of Natural Sciences (member of the Presidium. – Editor's note). Abdurasul Aldashevich is also an academician of the National Engineering Academy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the International Academies of Mineral Resources and Informatization, twice a laureate of the State Prize of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the field of science and technology.

Developments on the development of the raw material base of rare refractory and rare earth elements, the creation of ore-thermal conversion and technology for the production of ammonium metavanadate from Karatau quartzites are of value.

Know-how without borders

The contribution of the NCPMS team to the development of the domestic industry does not go unnoticed, which is confirmed by eight state awards of the Republic of Kazakhstan for developments in the field of metallurgy. And the world leadership of the Kazakhstan scientific and production association is recognized in several mining and metallurgical areas at once. An indicator of this is the transfer of technologies and the construction of dozens of plants and factories outside the republic for their development.

For example, the technology for the production of Kazakhstansky alloy, created by the specialists of the Century Technology Center in metallurgy, makes it possible to combine incompatible metals, including iron and aluminum.

Another highly appreciated know-how of Kazakhstani inventors– Golden Technologies, is used at gold mining plants in Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and China.

One of the outstanding projects of the NCCPS – the processing of low-quality lead-containing raw materials – has been put into operation at key industrial facilities in Canada, Italy and China. 420 thousand tons of metal are smelted annually at the existing plants, which is one tenth of the world's primary lead production.

Separately, it is worth noting the success in cooperation with the Chinese company Jiaxin International Resources Investment Limited, a direct investor in the Bogutinsky tungsten ore deposit, which has already invested $ 350 million in its development. The opening of the first stage of tungsten production in the Almaty region is expected next month, which will be a significant event in the country's history. Reaching the design capacity of the enterprise will allow Kazakhstan to produce up to 10% of the world's industrial volumes of this metal.

The future plans of Chinese entrepreneurs are even more ambitious – Kazakhstan's accession to the number of leaders in the production of tungsten in the world.

"The scientists of the center have great opportunities to develop technology for processing tungsten ores," said Liu Liqiang, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Jiaxin International Resources Investment Limited, in his speech at the conference in Almaty. – We express our intention to cooperate and propose a holistic approach to the development of tungsten deposits in the Karaganda region using highly efficient integrated deep processing technologies. In this regard, both we and the National Center for Integrated Processing of Mineral Raw Materials have a solid experience of mutual partnership.

The investment portfolio for the development of tungsten deposits in the Almaty region may reach one billion US dollars, it is planned to create a world-class industrial park of tungsten products, production for 4,000 jobs, attraction of advanced technologies and significant investment flows to Kazakhstan.

The RSE "National Center for Integrated Processing of Mineral Raw Materials of the Republic of Kazakhstan" has confirmed its participation in this program in a Memorandum of Cooperation with Jiaxin International Resources Investment Limited & Zhepsu Wolframs LLP in the creation of a research laboratory and scientific work in the field of rare metals.

Two more business agreements were concluded during the international conference in Almaty. For the construction of a ferrosilicon aluminum smelter in Mongolia, a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between RSE NCCMS RK, ICMD International Corporation of Metal and Alloy Development Holding GmbH and the Baganuur Industrial Technology Park. Joint document with Ural Federal University named after The First President of Russia, Boris Yeltsin, defined the framework of scientific and technical cooperation in the field of integrated processing of mineral raw materials.

From the project to practice

A sample of the implementation of promising scientific ideas into practice was presented by the Center for Integrated Processing of Mineral Raw Materials at its own production base, where an industrial plant for processing rice waste and an ammonium perrenate production site were recently launched. They were commissioned with the support and within the framework of commercialization projects of JSC Science Foundation.

According to its developers, the technology for producing a multifunctional silicon-carbon nanocomposite from rice husks is the only one known in the world today. Although the search for ways to use these wastes has been going on for at least a hundred years.

– The husk is about 20% of the weight of rice. Its processing generates tens of millions of tons of waste per year. These are significant volumes that go into landfills, occupying large areas," said Yuri Sukharnikov, one of the authors of the project, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor of Metallurgy. – The fact is that, unlike other plant materials, rice husks do not rot in the ground and are not consumed by animals.

But the presence of silica, or silicon dioxide, in the rice shell turns these wastes into valuable renewable metallurgical raw materials. According to the scientist, several types of commercial products can be obtained from silicon carbon released during the thermal degradation of the husk. It is widely known as a good sorbent. The use of silicon dioxide as a feed additive has a positive effect on productivity in poultry farming. As a filler in rubber products, this component increases the strength of rubber. Silicon carbon nanocomposite is a source for producing pure silicon and ferrosilicon.

The uniqueness of the industrial lead processing site is that it is actually the only independent production facility that uses lead products of industrial origin as raw materials to produce the rare metal.

By now, the site has been upgraded to produce additional products – iodine and lead concentrate. The prospects of the new technology are provided by the fact that Kazakhstan does not have its own deposits and, consequently, serial production of iodine.

This focus on the current needs of the national economy and a holistic approach to solving problems in all sectors of the mining and metallurgical industry remain the main competitive advantage of the National Center for Integrated Processing of Mineral Raw Materials.

Prepared by Lyudmila Makarenko

Source: Kazakhstanskaya Pravda newspaper