Automation is an investment in the future, where technology serves both business and people and the use of artificial intelligence in automation represents a new level of production efficiency. This was highlighted by Saken Shayakhmetov, Director of Sustainable Development at Kazakhmys Corporation, during his speech at the Digital Almaty 2025 forum.

«Central to our digital development agenda is the cultivation of skills in the younger generation. We are running a project with the Ulytau Educational Foundation, currently covering 85 schools across all regions of our presence. Through this initiative, we introduce STEM laboratories, smart libraries and career guidance programs. By teaching skills and competencies, we aim to develop digital literacy among students», - said Shayakhmetov.

Kazakhmys also operates two technological colleges specializing in mining education. Work is actively underway to establish a technical fund for Ulytau region.

In addition, the company is addressing environmental challenges at Lake Balkhash. According to McKinsey research, the lake could face a water deficit of up to 1.9 billion cubic meters by 2030, with serious ecological consequences. In response, at the end of 2024, Kazakhmys allocated USD 5 mln to protect the lake’s ecosystem, including research initiatives and sustainable water management approaches.

Another key focus is employee safety. The company uses digital tools to monitor personnel locations and implements automated medical check systems to minimize human error. Other technologies in use include predictive maintenance to reduce downtime, optimize technological processes, enhance safety and mitigate risks associated with human factors.

In 2018, Kazakhmys introduced the Digital Monitoring and Management System (DMMS) at the 67th mine of the West Mine site to comply with industrial safety regulations. The system is now operational at 13 underground sites, with plans to expand to four more in 2025.

During the Digital Almaty 2025 forum, Kazakhmys received an award for the best industrial tour at the Nurkazgan mine. The tour involved 15 IT residents from Tech Garden, who explored the company’s business challenges and proposed digital and technical solutions to improve production processes. The outcomes included a pool of IT projects aimed at enhancing efficiency, safety, environmental monitoring and product quality.

These initiatives demonstrate that Kazakhmys’ digital solutions and forward-looking strategies not only ensure operational safety but also provide employees with the necessary tools to meet the demands of modern industrial IT environments.