The RoK Minister of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources Magzum Mirzagaliyev, the RoK Vice-Minister of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources Serikkali Brekeshev, General Director of Kazakhmys Barlau LLP Galym Nurzhanov, Head of Subsoil Use Department of Rio Tinto LLP      Olga Petrova, Chairman of the Board of Zhairem Mining and Concentrating Complex JSC Sergey Bartosh and others took part in the meeting. General Director of Kazakhmys Barlau LLP Galym Nurzhanov delivered a report on the implementation and prospects of exploration projects. 14 exploration projects are currently being implemented by Kazakhmys Barlau LLP in Karaganda and Kostanay regions. Since the implementation of these projects, Kazakhmys has invested a total of about 9.5 billion in exploration, including the investments of 2020 in the amount of 6.5 billion KZT. Every year the company increases its production volumes by implementing new projects. Thus, the drilling volume in 2020 is 20 % higher than the previous period. According to Galym Nurzhanov, General Director of Kazakhmys Barlau LLP, the pandemic period and the introduction of the state of emergency in the country did not affect the work of the enterprise, the work was carried out as usual. Today, the company is employing the most up-to-date exploration equipment and technologies. In particular, advanced technologies are used in ground-based electrical exploration. The ground geophysical survey method according to Canadian technologies (OreVision IP, InfiniTEM) was used for the first time in Kazakhstan in such company’s projects as Ozernoe and Dyusembay deposits in Karaganda region, which allowed the company to double the depth of exploration as compared to conventional geophysical survey methods. Kazakhmys Barlau LLP is the first exploration company in Kazakhstan that has launched digital management at the work sites. This includes Internet and mobile coverage in remote areas that are located beyond the reach of communications service providers. This measure is primarily aimed at ensuring production process safety and the efficiency of obtaining geological information in online regime. Geologists also use GPS navigators that allow to monitor their location and there is a possibility to send an emergency notification in case of an emergency event on the routes. In order to develop the prospects of Zhezkazgan region’s mineral and raw material base, the company is implementing a project on forecast-audit works at Zhezkazgan field and Zhezkazgan ore field. This involves conducting 3D seismic surveys in the Zhilandy area and 3D mine scanning using unmanned aerial vehicles for modelling of underground spaces. These technologies are being used for the first time in Zhezkazgan region and are aimed at studying the structure of ore deposits having complex geological structure to a depth of up to 1 km. Such works have not been performed before at Zhezkazgan-type deposits. According to Galym Nurzhanov, production is forecast to increase to up to 700 thousand tonnes of copper at the initial stage in the Zhilandy area of Zhezkazgan ore field.  This year the company commenced construction of new sample storage facilities in Zhezkazgan and Karaganda. The sample storage facility capacity will be 200,000 linear meters of samples, with an area of  1400 sqm, in Karaganda – 150,000 linear meters of samples, with an area of 1,200 sqm. The company is engaging international organizations that have extensive experience in such projects in the construction of new sample storage facilities. Furthermore, the company has launched a new project in Balkhash to create an internationally-accredited analytical laboratory jointly with Swiss Company SGS.