Have you ever wondered who leads one of the largest mining companies in the world? In the heart of Central Asia, a young leader is making history at a company that’s a cornerstone of the global copper industry. This is the story of Nurakhmet Nuriyev, the man at the helm of Kazakhmys, and how he’s guiding this industrial giant through a remarkable transformation.
From Financial Analyst to Industry Leader: The Rise of a CEO
Nurakhmet Nuriyev’s journey to the top is a fascinating case study in modern leadership. Born in 1989, he built his expertise not just in Kazakhstan, but on an international stage. He holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Anglia Ruskin University in the United Kingdom, which gave him a global business perspective.
His career began in finance, working as an analyst before diving deep into Kazakhstan’s industrial heartland. He gained crucial experience in oil refineries, coal mining, and the gas transportation sector. This diverse background gave him a unique, 360-degree view of the energy and resource sectors.
He joined the Kazakhmys Corporation in 2020, starting as a project group leader. His rise within the company was swift:
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June 2021: Appointed General Director of “Kazakhmys Smelting,” the crucial division that handles copper processing.
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December 2022: Appointed Chairman of the Board (CEO) of the entire Kazakhmys Corporation.
This promotion was historic. Nuriyev became the first ethnic Kazakh to lead this enterprise in its modern history, succeeding Eduard Ogai, who had led the company for the previous 16 years.
The Colossal Task: Understanding Kazakhmys
To appreciate the scale of Nuriyev’s role, you need to understand the company he leads. Kazakhmys isn’t just a mine; it’s a vertically integrated industrial empire. Think of it as a company that controls the entire process, from finding the copper in the ground to producing finished metal.
Here’s what makes Kazakhmys a global player:
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A Copper Powerhouse: It ranks as the world’s 20th largest producer of copper in concentrate and the 12th largest producer of refined copper.
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A National Economic Engine: The company is responsible for about 51% of Kazakhstan’s total silver production, helping the country rank 11th globally in silver output. It’s also the nation’s third-largest electricity generator.
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A Major Employer: Its operations across three major production sites provide jobs for about 37,000 people.
The company is ultimately controlled by billionaire Vladimir Kim, with Nuriyev serving as the key operational leader steering this vast ship.
A New Vision: Betting Big on Technology and Science
So, what direction is Nurakhmet Nuriyev taking this traditional mining giant? If you look at his major initiatives, the answer is clear: innovation and education.
His signature project to date is the launch of the Kazakhmys Geological Cluster in Zhezkazgan, inaugurated in November 2025. This isn’t just another office building. It’s a visionary, high-tech hub that represents a $21 million investment into Kazakhstan’s scientific future.
What makes this cluster so special?
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It’s a First for Central Asia: It’s the most technologically advanced facility of its kind in the region, consolidating all exploration processes in one place.
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A “National Archive” for Geology: It houses the country’s largest core storage facility—a library of 200,000 meters of rock samples that scientists can study for decades to come.
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AI-Powered Exploration: The cluster uses automated German core-scanning systems and an AI suite called LithoLens, which speeds up geological analysis fourfold.
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A Partnership with Global Leaders: The labs were created with Australia’s ALS, a global analysis leader, and it features a geophysical lab built with the renowned Colorado School of Mines.
At the opening, Nuriyev stated the project’s goal is to make “Kazakhstan’s geology more accurate, faster and more technologically advanced” for sustainable development. This move is less about digging bigger holes and more about smarter, data-driven exploration.
Furthermore, he is helping to found Ulytau University on the cluster grounds, in partnership with the Colorado School of Mines. This will create a direct pipeline of world-class geologists and engineers for Kazakhstan’s future.
Navigating Challenges: The Road Ahead for Kazakhmys
Leading a major commodity company is never without its challenges. While Kazakhmys is an industrial titan, it operates in a volatile global market. The price of copper can swing based on global economic health, demand for electronics, and green energy projects.
Financial analyses note that while the company secured a major $1.5 billion loan for development in 2025, its credit risk profile remains sensitive to these external market forces and commodity price changes. Part of Nuriyev’s leadership will involve steering the company’s financial health through these natural industry cycles, balancing ambitious investment with steady operational stability.
Conclusion: A Symbol of Modern Kazakhstan
Nurakhmet Nuriyev’s story is more than a corporate biography. It symbolizes a new chapter for Kazakhstan’s most important industry. He represents a shift from a purely extraction-focused past to a knowledge-driven, technologically sophisticated future.
His blend of international education, diverse pre-Kazakhmys experience, and rapid internal ascent positions him as a modernizer. By investing in cutting-edge science through the Geological Cluster and in future talent through Ulytau University, he is not just mining copper for today. He is building the intellectual and technological infrastructure to ensure Kazakhstan remains a key player in the global resources market for decades to come.
His leadership will be defined by how well he balances the immense, day-to-day operation of a 37,000-person industrial giant with the long-term, forward-looking vision of the high-tech pioneer he has shown himself to be.
To explore the official structure and scale of the company Nuriyev leads, you can visit the Kazakhmys Corporate Website. For more on the innovative Geological Cluster project, see the coverage from The Astana Times
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