Five Wrong Ideas About Country Competitiveness

For many years our magazine cooperates with International Institute for Management Development, by publishing annually reviews on our country positions in IMD competitiveness rating. We present for our readers the article of Arturo Bris, Professor of Finance at IMD and director at the IMD World Competitiveness Center.

Mineral Industry in 2000–2013: Reserves, Production, and Investment

Leadership in proven reserves of priority types of mineral raw materials contributed to a high interest in the extracting projects of Kazakhstan among investors. However, the lack of replenishment of the on-balance reserves, observed in the last decade, can become a major obstacle to sustainable development of the domestic mining and metallurgy sector. Thus, the current task is to promote geological exploration, taking into account the transfer of advanced technologies and mineral resources development.

New Horizons of Donskoy Ore-Mining and Processing Plant

A kilometer under the surface. This is how deep miners of one of the mines of Donskoy Ore-Mining and Processing Plant (Donskoy GOK), a branch of Kazchrome TNC, which is a subsidiary of ERG (Eurasian Resources Group), currently work. With a speed of 100 meters per month, the safest possible way, they are driving minus 480 horizon. In perspective, the pace of work will be even greater through the use of innovative technologies.

Introspection and inertia characterized a year of subdued M&A activity in the mining and metals sector. During the last 12 months, there was a distinct shift away from external investing for growth toward internal capital optimization. Traditional buyers concentrated on capital discipline, improving balance sheet strength and maximizing return on capital. The majors continued to pursue divestment of non-core assets, while cash-strapped juniors struggled to raise finance. Such a climate presents deal opportunities. However, the sense of urgency to make them happen was missing. These are the main conclusions of Ernst & Young experts, which prepared an annual global review of mergers & acquisitions in the mining and metals sector.