Kazakhstan Presents Plans for Digital Transformation in Subsoil Governance
Hackin' the Earth for a Brighter Future:
Kazakhstan's Groundbreaking Digital Mineral Venture
ASTANA - In a bold move towards transparency and technological advancement, Kazakhstan has opened its mineral riches to global investors by cutting out the middlemen and digitalizing subsoil governance. The Astana Times had a sit-down with Vice Minister of Industry and Construction Zhannat Dubirova to delve deeper into the online subsoil use platform, revealing how the interactive mapping tool unlocks the nation's hidden geological wealth for sustainable, investor-friendly growth.
A Tech-Savvy Mineral Miracle
Kazakhstan kicked off the platform on January 1, 2025, following months of reform aimed at amplifying transparency and luring foreign investors into the natural resources sector.
Vice Minister of Industry and Construction Zhannat Dubirova. Image credit: Dubirova's personal archive
The all-digital platform, accessible at minerals.e-qazyna.kz, allows users to apply for exploration and production, participate in bidding wars, and obtain online licenses. The initiative stems from extensive work conducted since July 2024, including the examination of global best practices, a thorough restructure of business processes, and an overhaul of the system's architecture and design approach.
"Digitizing natural resources management aims to tackle long-standing challenges in subsoil use, particularly attracting big-time investors," said Dubirova.
Since the platform's launch, over 500 applications have been processed, and it currently provides access to 22 digitized public services while sporting an open database of geological information. Historic records spanning the 1950s to the 1980s are undergoing a digital makeover, thanks to artificial intelligence, and will eventually be available as machine-readable formats. Some data will also be showcased in video report format to make it more accessible to investors.
At the platform's heart lies an interactive map visualizing all sites earmarked for hydrocarbons and solid minerals. It includes areas available for current and future auctions and provides detailed info on users, plots, and license status.
"By using a unified interactive map, we're connecting various government departments involved in subsoil management. Even without registering, businesses and citizens can view available plots, license holders, and license issue dates. Once registered, they can access all government services, submit applications, join auctions, and settle up online," said Dubirova.
She highlighted that this entirely digital process eliminates the need for intermediaries, enabling users to engage directly with government services. Government agencies also operate within the system and process applications electronically.
The interactive map also takes into account restricted zones, such as defense lands, nature reserves, and urban areas.
"Although we don't specifically label defense lands, we decline applications for those areas. Collaboration with government agencies ensures accurate and up-to-date info. Digital-savvy government agencies are integrated into the platform, while those lacking digital records are manually updated for accuracy," she said.
Dubirova underlined that digitalization reduces human error and minimizes corruption by eliminating the intermediaries.
"Kazakhstan boasts over 3,000 licenses for solid minerals and over 1,000 for common minerals. Each one needs monitoring. Digitization simplifies tracking compliance. Clear-cut regulations are embedded in the system, ensuring legal certainty for investors," she said.
A Tech-Empowered Future
Dubirova also unveiled the ministry's plans to digitize other pivotal sectors, including industry, construction, and public utilities.
"In industry, we are creating a national information system that will offer 24 government services and collect data to drive industrial policy. The platform will also supply businesses with insights on trade turnover and growth opportunities," she said.
In construction, the ministry is working on phasing out outdated Soviet-era design formats in favor of Building Information Modeling, which aligns with international practices.
To improve living standards, the ministry is rolling out a unified utility billing system. The project aims to enable residents to pay their bills through online banking and mobile apps. Data consolidation in a central housing and utilities platform will support data-driven policymaking.
"The overarching objective across these initiatives is to boost the business environment, streamline interactions with government, and enhance citizens' quality of life nationwide," said Dubirova.
Insights:- The digital subsoil use platform consolidates 22 digitized public services to offer a single point of access for investors.- Historical geological records dating back to the 1950s are being converted into machine-readable formats using AI.- The electronic bidding system demonstrated during the June 2025 auction of 50 rare metal deposits sets a new standard for transparent and efficient auctions.- Production licenses acquired through the platform are valid for 25 years, offering long-term operational security.- The integration of real-time geological data, automated licensing, and competitive bidding creates a streamlined investor journey from initial research to production.
- The all-digital subsoil use platform in Kazakhstan, accessible at minerals.e-qazyna.kz, has been instrumental in enableing over 500 applications to be processed since its launch, providing access to multiple digitized public services and an open database of geological information.
- The digital mineral venture in Kazakhstan involves not just the natural resources sector, but also other pivotal sectors like industry, construction, and public utilities, as discussed by Vice Minister of Industry and Construction Zhannat Dubirova.
- In an effort to attract foreign investors and amplify transparency, Kazakhstan's digital platform offers a comprehensive solution, including an interactive mapping tool, automated licensing, and competitive bidding processes, all aimed at streamlining the investor journey from initial research to production.
- The integration of finances, technology, and the reengineering of business processes in Kazakhstan's digital initiatives, spearheaded by Qazyna, is anticipated to boost the business environment and enhance citizens' quality of life nationwide.
