Kazakhstan is facing the problem of inadequate funding for geological exploration, Chairman of the Geology Committee of the Ministry of Industry and Construction Erlan Akbarov said at the roundtable on subsoil use, Kapital.kz reports.
Noting that many mineral deposits in the country are nearing depletion, Akbarov emphasised the need to intensify geological exploration works. In Kazakhstan, funding for geological exploration is low — about $8 per square kilometre, while in Uzbekistan this figure stands at $98.
Akbarov said an important area is the search for deposits of hydrocarbons.
«The reserves of many mineral resources in our country are very low now. We need to intensify geological exploration works,» the Chairman of the Geology Committee said.
He noted that the number of licenses issued is not enough, and investment in this area needs to be increased.
