During the visit of the Kazakh delegation headed by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Almas Aidarov to participate in the largest international conference of miners and prospectors "PDAC-2023", bilateral meetings were held with major Canadian companies. The meetings, which were also attended by Vice Minister of Industry and Infrastructure Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan Iran Sharhan, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Canada Akylbek Kamaldinov, and Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of "NC "KAZAKH INVEST" JSC Zhandos Temirgali, raised the issue of expanding Canadian companies' investment activities in Kazakhstan's mining industry. 

Thus, the delegates held a meeting with Joe Lombard, Managing Director of Hatch. Hatch is the largest engineering and technical company with a global presence in the mining, energy, and infrastructure sectors. During the meeting, the company's leader expressed interest in relocating its regional representation to Kazakhstan, as well as implementing new projects in the country using new technologies. It should be noted that currently, Hatch collaborates with a number of the largest Kazakhstani companies.

Brian Scott, Vice President of Geology and Technical Services at B2Gold, told the Kazakhstani delegation about the company's intentions to expand cooperation with Kazakhstan in gold mining and processing, as well as in the search for new deposits. The company representative, who positively evaluated the reforms of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the field of subsoil use, noted significant prospects for new discoveries of gold deposits in the Akmola and Kostanay regions and other regions of Kazakhstan.

At the meeting with the Vice President of Cameco, Caroline Gorsalitz, the current projects of the company in Kazakhstan and opportunities for diversification of transportation routes were discussed. It should be noted that Cameco is the largest Canadian investor in Kazakhstan and a member of the Council of Foreign Investors. Together with NAC Kazatomprom, the company is engaged in uranium mining in the Turkestan region.

In addition, a meeting was held with the CEO of Ion Energy, Ali Haji, who reported that the company is considering the possibility of implementing projects in Kazakhstan in the field of rare earth metals. It is worth noting that Ion Energy is currently developing a lithium deposit in Mongolia.

During the meeting, the President of the Canadian public company Arras Minerals, Darren Klinck, reported on the progress of an investment project for gold mining in the Pavlodar region, noting the favorable investment climate for foreign companies in Kazakhstan. Arras Minerals is conducting geological exploration and plans to attract funds from Canadian funds.

The delegation also held a meeting with the Director of Government Relations at Nutrien, Cam Baker. Canadian company Nutrien is the world's largest producer of potassium carbonate and the second-largest producer of nitrogen. The parties discussed the possibilities of implementing projects for the production of potassium fertilizers in Kazakhstan.

With the representative of Xcalibur Multiphysics, Andres Blanco, the delegation discussed the possibility of cooperation on geological work in Kazakhstan with the involvement of international financing.

In addition, negotiations were held with the Vice President of Teck Resources Limited, Stuart McCracken. The company, which is engaged in the production of copper, zinc, coking coal, and oil from oil sands in Canada, is interested in implementing projects in the mining and metallurgical industry in Kazakhstan. At present, Teck Resources Limited, together with Arras Minerals, is working on the Beskauka project in the Pavlodar region.

During negotiations with the President of the large Canadian company NDT Technologies, Stefan Grigoras, the parties discussed the possibility of organizing a regional hub, with subsequent possible localization of high-tech products in Kazakhstan due to the suspension of activities in Russia.

With the Vice President of Hunter Dickinson, David Gaunt, the parties discussed opportunities for implementing a number of projects in the mining and metallurgical industry. Hunter Dickinson Inc. is a diversified global mining group with more than 30 years of experience in developing mineral deposits.

The President of the Canadian company Condor Energies, Don Strew, at the meeting with the Kazakh delegation noted his readiness to explore lithium deposits in Kazakhstan. The company is currently implementing a number of projects in the oil and gas sector and mining industry in our country.

As part of "PDAC-2023," the Kazakh delegation held a meeting with Turkey's largest gold producer, Tumad. During the negotiations, the company's management expressed interest in exploring gold-copper deposits in Kazakhstan with partners from Turkey and Canada.

In addition, the Kazakh delegation participated in a number of events to present investment opportunities in Kazakhstan and attract new potential investors.

Thus, within the framework of the "PDAC-2023" exhibition, the delegation took part in the mining conference "CECC Eurasia Mining Conference" organized by the Canadian-Eurasian Trade Chamber. The conference discussed investment opportunities in the mining industry in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Mongolia. Canadian business representatives highly appreciated the measures taken by the Government of Kazakhstan to develop the mining industry in the country.

In addition, a presentation of investment opportunities in Kazakhstan was held for Canadian investors from the province of Saskatchewan as part of the "Potash Business: Saskatchewan - Kazakhstan Opportunities" event dedicated to the development of potash deposits in the West Kazakhstan region. Representatives of "NC" KAZAKH INVEST" JSC, the akimat of West Kazakhstan region, and the Committee of Geology of the Ministry of Industry and Infrastructure Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan spoke at the information session.

To study Canadian experience in renewable energy production, the Kazakh delegation visited the "HydrogenOptimized" company, which produces innovative RuggedCell™️ electrolyzers for the production of green hydrogen. These patented technologies are used to produce green hydrogen. Taking into account the program adopted by the Government of Kazakhstan to achieve carbon neutrality and large-scale projects for the production of green hydrogen in Kazakhstan, "HydrogenOptimized" has been invited to implement projects in Kazakhstan.