FROM CRITICAL MINERALS TO DIGITAL MINING AND METALS: KEY TOPICS OF THE MINING & METALS CENTRAL ASIA 2026 BUSINESS PROGRAMME
FROM SEPTEMBER 16 TO 18, 2026, ALMATY WILL HOST THE 31ST CENTRAL ASIAN INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION OF MINING EQUIPMENT, ORE AND MINERAL EXTRACTION AND PROCESSING – MINING & METALS CENTRAL ASIA 2026 – AND THE 22ND KAZAKHSTAN INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION OF ROAD AND INDUSTRIAL CONSTRUCTION AND MUNICIPAL EQUIPMENT – KAZCOMAK 2026.
Over three days, the exhibition venue will become a hub for professional interaction among representatives of the mining, mining and metallurgical, road construction and related industries.
This year, the combined exhibition will bring together 523 companies from 30 countries. Participants include companies from Australia, Austria, Belarus, the United Kingdom, Germany, Greece, India, Iran, Spain, Italy, Kazakhstan, Canada, China, Cyprus, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, the UAE, Poland, Russia, the United States, Türkiye, Ukraine, Finland, France, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Sweden and South Korea.
Particular attention will be paid to the business programme, which will take place in the Main Conference Hall of the new Pavilion 8 at the Atakent Exhibition Centre. It will bring together government and business representatives, investors, technology companies and international experts to discuss the future of Kazakhstan’s mining and metallurgical sector.
The central event of the first day, September 16, will be the plenary session entitled “The Future of Kazakhstan’s Mining and Metallurgical Sector: Critical Minerals, Projects and New Growth Opportunities.” Participants will discuss Kazakhstan’s role in the global critical minerals supply chain, prospects for attracting investment, the launch of new projects, the development of processing facilities and the establishment of new high-value-added industries. The discussion will involve representatives of the Ministry of Industry and Construction of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Republican Association of Mining and Metallurgical Enterprises, the Kazakhstan Chamber of Mines, Kazakh Invest, Kazakhmys Smelting, Eurasian Resources Group, Qarmet, the Economic Research Institute and the international company FLSmidth. The moderator will be Askar Kukeyev, Head of Energy and Mining & Metals Consulting and Senior Manager at Strategy& PwC Kazakhstan.
The first day’s agenda will also include:
The AI Stage, “Assessing Digital Maturity and AI Readiness in Mining: From Data Richness to Decision Readiness,” dedicated to the digital transformation of enterprises and the implementation of artificial intelligence, digital twins and data analytics. The speaker will be Australian international expert Dr Ali Soofastaei (ContinuumOps), whose practical experience includes digitalisation and efficiency improvement projects for mining companies around the world;
The Canadian Group Workshop, “Canadian Expertise and Solutions for the Global Mining Industry,” showcasing technologies and practical solutions offered by Canadian companies for the mining sector;
Industry seminars and company presentations by CiDRA Minerals Processing, Earth Technology, FLSmidth, Epiroc and Sandvik.
The key event of the second day, September 17, will be the GEOTECH FORUM, whose programme will be divided into two thematic sessions.
The first session, “Kazakhstan’s New Policy Architecture and the Future of the Mining Industry,” will focus on subsoil-use regulation, the investment climate, geological exploration prospects and the development of critical-mineral projects.
The second session, “Digital Mining and Metals: From Automation to Intelligent Management and Robotisation,” will bring together leading experts and technology companies to discuss practical cases involving the introduction of artificial intelligence, robotic systems, digital platforms and autonomous machinery. Speakers will include representatives of ContinuumOps, Earth Technology, Business & Technology Services (ERG’s IT company), AG TECH, Borusan Cat Kazakhstan, Epiroc, Sandvik and HardDev.
The second day’s agenda will also include:
The AI Stage, “Operational Efficiency Diagnostics: Identifying and Validating Value Across the Mine-to-Mill Chain,” focusing on the transition from digital transformation to measurable operational and economic outcomes;
A round-table discussion entitled “Best Practices Day: Presentation of German Industrial Solutions for Kazakhstan”;
Specialised seminars by Normet and Composit.
The extensive business programme of Mining & Metals Central Asia 2026 will provide an opportunity to examine the development of the mining and metallurgical sector from both strategic and practical perspectives. The combination of industry discussions, international expertise and practical case studies will create opportunities for sharing experience, identifying new solutions and strengthening professional cooperation among government, business and the technology community.
The exhibitions are held with the official support of the Ministry of Industry and Construction of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Almaty City Akimat, the Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and the ALE Republican Association of Mining and Metallurgical Enterprises (AMME).
The Seminar Zone Partner is Composit, the Photo Zone Partner is Melytec, the Water Partner is AltynArna, the Games and Recreation Zone Partner is Nartas, and the Official Exhibition Guide Partner is Cummins.
The event is organised by Kazakhstan’s Iteca exhibition company and its international partner, ICA Events Group of Companies.