EU Raw Materials Week 2023: Xcalibur Multiphysics and Kazakhstan’s National Geological Survey JSC join forces to map Kazakhstan’s natural resources potential

The survey is part of Xcalibur’ Multiphysics’s groundbreaking vision of helping Central Asia to map its vast natural resources in a sustainable and efficient way through the creation of a Central Asian natural resources hub, including a transfer of technology, skills and knowledge to create Jobs and strengthen growth.

Xcalibur Multiphysics’s responsible and innovative mapping of natural resources is a centrale enabler of a truly just and sustainable global economy as well as a fair and balanced energy transition.

Xcalibur Multiphysics, the worldwide leader in airborne geophysics, and Kazakhstan’s National Geological Survey JSC, are joining forces to map Kazakhstan’s natural Resources potential by collaborating on airborne geophysical exploration.

Today’s signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (“MoU”) on “Unlocking Kazakhstan’s Geological Potential” was part of the official programme of the EU’s 2023 Critical Raw Materials Week, an annual event organised by the European Commission gathering a wide range of stakeholders discussing EU policies related to critical and strategic raw materials, strategic projects, investment, permitting, exploration, innovation, circularity, and international partnerships.

It was signed by Xcalibur Multiphysics CEO, Andrés Blanco, and National Geological Survey JSC’s Chairman of the Board, Yerlan Galiyev. To prepare and implement the MoU, a joint venture (JV) – Xcalibur Kazakhstan Limited – was established in February 2023.

Xcalibur Multiphysics’s natural resource mapping solutions will provide valuable digital information and data that will locate and unlock Kazakhstan’s natural resources such as critical, base and precious metals, oil and gas, geothermal energy and groundwater in a responsible and efficient way.

For Kazakhstan, the mapping will allow the creation of accessible geophysical data, leading to a more favourable overall investment climate. This in turn will help unlocking intensive, efficient and sustainable geological exploration and the localisation of new deposits, creating local jobs and boosting the nation’s economic growth.

At the same time, the MoU will help the EU to achieve its green transition and decarbonisation goals as described in the European Green Deal, REPowerEU and the Green Deal Industrial Plan: by partnering with Kazakhstan, Xcalibur Multiphysics Will support the EU’s efforts to secure access to important raw materials central to the green and digital twin transition and diversify away from dominant single suppliers.

Xcalibur Multiphysics’s responsible, innovative and data-driven mapping of natural resources is a centrale enabler of a truly just and sustainable global economy as well as a fair and balanced energy transition.

The MoU is part of Xcalibur Multiphysics’s ground-breaking vision helping Central Asia to map its vast natural resources in a responsible, sustainable and efficient way.

The JV will not only include a transfer of technology, skills and knowledge that will strengthen local, regional and national growth and jobs, but also the creation of a Central Asian natural resources hub, with services also being provided to Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan. Andres Blanco, CEO of Xcalibur Multiphysics highlighted: “Our aim is to work together and apply the latest technology to map and discover Kazakhstan’s vast potential for natural resources, in particular those related to the energy transition. We are particularly looking forward to setting up our new Central Asia hub in Kazakhstan.”

Michael Douglas, Global Country Mapping Manager of Xcalibur Multiphysics added: “In the journey to Net Zero and supply security mapping Kazakhstan’s abundance of critical raw materials will be invaluable to the EU and lay the ground for a positive and sustained uplift to Kazakhstan’s economy”.

Yerlan Galiyev, Chairman of the Board of National Geological Survey JSC, commented: “We are very happy that we can seize the opportunity to team up with one of the biggest geophysical companies in the world, and we are looking very much forward to work with this renowned company”.