Tag: Kazakhstan

Last week, in the lead-up to the UNGA, Xcalibur Smart Mapping had the honor of being invited to the first COP30 event held in Madrid for conference participants, thanks to the collaboration of the Spain-Brazil Council Foundation, OEI, and the Brazil-Spain Chamber of Commerce.

During the event, both Trinidad Jiménez, President of the Brazil-Spain Chamber of Commerce, and the recently appointed ambassador Luiz Alberto Figueiredo Machado, highlighted that the climate crisis directly impacts the economy, emphasizing the urgent need for coordinated and effective action.

The Brazilian government has issued seven letters of intent, and we find it particularly commendable that the first one focuses on climate justice, placing society at the center of all actions. The latest letter, issued recently, invites companies to actively participate, a document we highly recommend reviewing due to its clear call for commitment and investment to tackle climate change.

In a complex geopolitical context, with rising energy prices, critical dependencies, and growing economic risks, there are positive signs: renewable energy in Spain leads Europe, Brazil is one of the most representative countries globally, yet China accounts for nearly 50% of installations, electric vehicles, and industrial production, leaving Europe trailing behind. This situation turns the energy transition into a problem that is both economic and environmental.

As the ambassador indicated, governments must support with strategic vision, clear regulations, and alliances among NGOs, associations, companies, and public institutions. This is exactly what leading companies such as Xcalibur Smart Mapping, through its foundation and projects for training and integrating the most vulnerable, or Iberdrola and others participating in the event, are demonstrating—the private sector has a key role in climate action.

Spain benefits from strong social support, which is not common everywhere, and within the European Union, there is broad commitment to climate action. However, the limited involvement of other countries affects Europe’s global leadership in this area. Measures are being promoted to simplify complex regulations, though without the support of the U.S., progress tends to be slower.

The OEI, an organization with significant COP influence, emphasized that this COP will be the COP of action, promoting coordinated processes and tangible deliverables, with monitoring not only of objectives but of measurable outcomes. It was clear that the climate crisis is also an economic crisis, and multilateralism remains essential, as highlighted in the Seville Summit, where Xcalibur participated actively.

Finally, every COP meeting reiterates the need for financing, a critical element to transform commitments into real and effective actions.

 

Coincidentally, this event in Madrid aligned with the cocktail we were also invited to, focused on investment opportunities in Peru. A week full of initiatives, and now we await to see what the coming week will bring.

President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev highlighted in his address to the nation that the country’s large-scale airborne geophysical surveys are “completely outdated.”

According to the President, it is essential to rapidly develop modern subsurface maps using digital tools and artificial intelligence technologies.

He emphasised that effective geological exploration cannot be ensured without a solid scientific foundation and instructed the establishment of a certified laboratory at the National Geological Service by mid-next year, in accordance with international standards. The President also called for an accelerated process of systematising and digitising geological data and completing legislative reforms in the field of subsoil use by the end of the year.

Last week, at the Council of Domestic Entrepreneurs chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Abayevich Bektenov, key proposals for the development of the mining sector were presented. The Council of Domestic Entrepreneurs under the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan is an advisory body established in 2022 to develop proposals for improving legislation, attracting investments, and enhancing the business climate.

During the meeting, our representatives emphasised that modern airborne geophysical surveys are critical for attracting investment into geological exploration and the mining industry. Without updating and expanding the geological database, Kazakhstan risks losing the interest of leading global investors who rely on high-precision, AI-enhanced exploration methods to reduce risks and assess the potential of deposits.

The discussion also addressed important issues such as improving tax legislation, including royalty and mineral extraction tax rates, simplifying the tax regime for geological service companies, creating a transparent mechanism for the targeted use of subsoil users’ lease payments, and facilitating access to land for exploration activities.

It was noted that Kazakhstan possesses significant geological potential and could strengthen its position among the world’s industry leaders if barriers for investors are reduced and systemic reforms are supported. Together, these measures are expected to stimulate investor interest, strengthen regulatory confidence, and create favourable conditions for sustainable development of the mining sector.

Following the meeting, the Prime Minister confirmed that the National Airborne Geophysical Mapping Programme will be launched in the near future, and the Government will provide the necessary support for its successful implementation.

This initiative fully aligns with our approach — the world’s largest airborne geophysics company, which has been carrying out large-scale projects in multiple countries.

Currently, Xcalibur conducts national airborne geophysical programmes in Brazil, Mongolia, Zambia, and Australia.

In Kazakhstan, we successfully completed significant survey work this year for several leading international mining companies and deployed advanced technologies, including the iCORUS-iX gravimeter. This lightweight and highly precise equipment allows for high-quality data acquisition even in challenging terrain and turbulent conditions.

Xcalibur Kazakhstan has successfully implemented major projects in Saudi Arabia and is also participating in an international airborne geophysics project in Angola, where its team simultaneously conducts training for field specialists, transferring accumulated knowledge and technology. Thus, the company plays a key role not only in exploring new territories but also in developing human capital in the geophysics sector.

By the end of the current year, Xcalibur  plans to complete a new project in Kazakhstan using artificial intelligence for geophysical data interpretation. This initiative will be an important milestone in the digital transformation of geological exploration and will accelerate the identification of prospective deposits.

The launch of the National Airborne Geophysical Mapping Programme, supported by the President and the Government, opens new opportunities for Kazakhstan.

The integration of modern technologies, international expertise, and AI-based data interpretation will not only attract long-term investment but also significantly enhance the country’s competitiveness on the global geological exploration map.

Madrid, Spain – March 21st

• A landmark achievement in sustainable water resource management, ensuring a secure future for Kazakhstan’s water supply.
• State-of-the-art technology for aquifer mapping, providing data for long-term water sustainability.

Xcalibur Smart Mapping has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation of the Republic of Kazakhstan, marking a significant step in advancing water resource mapping and sustainable water management in the country. The agreement was formalised by Minister Nurzhan Moldiyarovich Nurzhigitov and Andrés Blanco Grasa, CEO of Xcalibur Smart Mapping, with a shared vision of leveraging innovative geophysical and satellite technologies to enhance the understanding and conservation of Kazakhstan’s vital water resources.

The MoU outlines the commitment to implement hydrogeological mapping projects for key water reserves, including the Kokzhide groundwater deposit and the North Aral Sea region, assessing conditions for water resource optimisation, aquifer replenishment, and potential mineral resources. Additionally, the agreement supports a national airborne geophysical mapping programme, aimed at inventorying Kazakhstan’s groundwater reserves and supporting future water sustainability strategies.

“We are very pleased with this agreement, as it strengthens our solution offering for both aquifer and surface water mapping. By integrating satellite and airborne geophysical techniques, we can provide more accurate and sustainable water management solutions for Kazakhstan,” said Víctor Gónzalez, Vice-president of Country Mapping at Xcalibur Smart Mapping.

The Ministry and Xcalibur Smart Mapping will collaborate on researching the Zharkent and Almaty artesian basins, focusing on geological-structural and geothermal conditions that influence thermal groundwater distribution. These studies will be critical in shaping Kazakhstan’s long-term water resource management policies.

Said Sultanov, Managing director at Xcalibur Kazakhastan, underscored the importance of this initiative, stating: “Kazakhstan’s future depends on sustainable resource management. By deploying advanced detection methods for aquifers, we are securing water availability for future generations and supporting national agricultural and industrial growth.”

Kazakhstan, a country with unevenly distributed water resources, faces growing challenges in ensuring sustainable groundwater access due to climate change and increasing industrial demand. Advanced mapping techniques will play a pivotal role in securing long-term water resilience, supporting not only the agricultural sector but also urban water planning and ecosystem conservation.

With geospatial intelligence and airborne geophysics at the core of this initiative, the MoU paves the way for a new era of water resource exploration in Kazakhstan, ensuring that scientific precision and sustainability drive future water infrastructure decisions.