ALMATY, July 22 (Xinhua) -- Kazakhstan plans to double its copper ore production by 2030 through developing three major new deposits, the official Kazinform news agency reported Tuesday, citing a government source.
Speaking at a government meeting, Deputy Minister of Industry and Construction Olzhas Saparbekov said the launch of the three deposits -- Aidarly, Koksay and Benkala will increase the country's copper ore reserves by 300 million tons.
He said iron ore production is also set to grow by 40 percent, reaching 52 million tons. This will be supported by expanded domestic processing capacity and the launch of new projects to produce hot briquetted iron (HBI).
According to the deputy minister, these efforts will help raise Kazakhstan's annual output of copper from 500,000 tons to 1.2 million tons, HBI to 5 million tons, and steel from 4.1 million to 13 million tons. ■
