Committed to localized operations, KMS has supported the local government in improving people's livelihoods through corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, including funding and constructing schools, health posts, and water wells, as well as donating agricultural supplies, according to the symposium.

The company has created 796 local jobs, provided training with an annual average trainee attendance of more than 7,000, and cultivated 226 local technical specialists and 68 frontline managers, said participants in the symposium, who spoke highly of KMS's CSR practices in their speeches. 

On October 20 local time, Wen Gang, Chairman of China Nonferrous Metal Mining (Group) Co., Ltd. (CNMC), led a delegation to Astana, capital of Kazakhstan, where he met with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Chinese Ambassador to Kazakhstan Han Chunlin, and attended the ceremony marking the start of preparatory works for the 300,000-ton-per-annum Aktogay Copper Smelter upon invitation.

The project is developed by KAZ Minerals Group (KAZ Minerals), with CNMC's subsidiary China Nonferrous Metal Industry's Foreign Engineering and Construction Co., Ltd. (NFC) serving as its engineering partner.

Oleg Novachuk, Supervisory Board Chair of KAZ Minerals, attended the ceremony.

During his meeting with Tokayev, Wen thanked the president and the government of Kazakhstan for their longstanding support for CNMC and expressed the company's firm confidence in its development in Kazakhstan.

He noted that CNMC has developed deep roots in Kazakhstan over more than two decades and has built a number of landmark projects to high standards, including the country's first electrolytic aluminum plant, the concentrator at the Bozshakol copper mine, and the concentrator at the Aktogay copper mine.

Going forward, CNMC will strictly adhere to relevant requirements, follow international first-class standards, and ensure the high-quality construction of the project, aiming to create a world-class modern industrial model project and contribute to deeper pragmatic cooperation between China and Kazakhstan, Wen said.

Tokayev welcomed Wen to Kazakhstan and praised CNMC for its contributions to the country's economic and social development. He expressed the hope that CNMC would further increase its investment in Kazakhstan and make greater contributions to local economic and social development.

Wen Gang (left), Chairman of China Nonferrous Metal Mining (Group) Co., Ltd. (CNMC), meets with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in Astana, capital of Kazakhstan.

During his meeting with Han, Wen thanked the Chinese Embassy in Kazakhstan for its longstanding support, guidance, and assistance to CNMC. 

As a leading state-owned enterprise in the nonferrous metals industry, CNMC will continue to advance the Belt and Road Initiative, optimize its overseas business presence, expand cooperation in the mining sector in a pragmatic manner, and actively fulfill its social responsibilities to benefit local communities, thus contributing to the friendship and economic and trade ties between China and Kazakhstan through practical actions for mutual benefit, Wen said.

Han spoke highly of CNMC's business performance and expressed the hope that the company would serve the friendship and cooperation between China and Kazakhstan, ensure the high quality and performance of its projects in Kazakhstan, deepen its engagement with local communities, and help drive industrial upgrading and improve people's livelihoods, thereby contributing to the pragmatic cooperation between the two countries.

Wen Gang (left), Chairman of China Nonferrous Metal Mining (Group) Co., Ltd. (CNMC), meets with Chinese Ambassador to Kazakhstan Han Chunlin in Astana, capital of Kazakhstan.

On the same day, Wen attended the ceremony marking the start of preparatory works for the 300,000-ton-per-annum Aktogay Copper Smelter and delivered a speech.

Wen Gang (left), Chairman of China Nonferrous Metal Mining (Group) Co., Ltd. (CNMC), and Oleg Novachuk, Supervisory Board Chair of KAZ Minerals Group (KAZ Minerals), deliver remarks at the ceremony marking the start of preparatory works for the 300,000-ton-per-annum Aktogay Copper Smelter in Astana, capital of Kazakhstan.

Other senior executives of CNMC and heads of relevant departments of CNMC and NFC also participated in the above activities.