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.