Chinese investors have reduced their planned investment in a copper processing project near Aktobe Airport in Kazakhstan from $100 million to $35 million following concerns raised by local residents and environmental activists. According to local media reports, the plant could potentially generate up to 500 tons of harmful emissions annually. The figures were cited by the author of the Metals & ESG Trends.KZ channel.
Mining industry expert Telman Shuriyev reported on his channel that Chinese company Phoenix Industrial Group had revised its plans to build a copper plant near the airport. The changes follow public concerns about the project’s potential environmental impact.
Project scaled back after environmental concerns
The original plan called for a facility specializing in copper smelting and the processing of secondary raw materials, with annual production exceeding 100,000 tons. According to Aktobe Times, the facility could generate up to 500 tons of harmful emissions and as much as 6,000 tons of waste annually.
These estimates require verification against the project’s official documentation. However, they have already prompted concern among residents of nearby communities.
Read also: Eco-activists sue ministry of energy over transparency in Kashagan & Tengiz deals.
Following the public outcry, the investor decided to substantially revise the project. Instead of smelting copper and processing secondary raw materials, the facility will focus on manufacturing wires and cables from preprocessed copper rod.
As a result, the planned investment has fallen from $100 million to $35 million. The project itself, however, has not been abandoned.
Investor says new technology will reduce environmental impact
Phoenix Industrial Group said the revised technology would help minimize the plant’s environmental impact. However, the project’s actual environmental footprint cannot be assessed objectively until the relevant calculations and technical documentation are made public.
Project backed by regional authorities and Kazakh Invest
In May, a groundbreaking ceremony was held in the Aktobe Special Economic Zone for the Eurasian Integrated Green Copper Industry Plant. The planned facility is designed to manufacture copper wire rod and cable products.
The project is being implemented with the support of the Aktobe region administration and Kazakh Invest, Kazakhstan’s national investment promotion agency. Financing is being provided by Chinese company Beijing Jinyi Yuanfang Holding Group in partnership with Phoenix Industrial Group.
