About us

The BR21881939 "Development of resource-saving energy-generating technologies for the mining and metallurgical complex and creation of an innovative engineering center" scientific and technical program is being implemented by the University within the framework of the program-targeted financing for 2023-2025 years based on the agreement signed with the Science Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan (№ 446-ПЦФ-23-25 from 15.11.2023).

Purpose of the program: creation of an innovative engineering center for energy-generating technologies for the mining and metallurgical complex.

In accordance with the decision of the Board of Directors of JSC «Kazakhstan National Technical University named after K.I. Satpayev» dated 19.02.2025 (Protocol No. 01) and the order of the university dated 20.02.2025 No. 80-P/Ө, the Innovation Engineering Center of the Mining and Metallurgical Institute at 22 Satbayev Street, area of more than 600 m2 was created. It hosts the following 8 laboratories:

  • - Laboratory of Digital and Computer Modeling of Ore Mining Technologies from Complex-Structured Blocks;
  • - Laboratory of Geomechanics and Geotechnologies;
  • - Laboratory of Chemical and Analytical Research;
  • - Laboratory for Ore Beneficiation Studies;
  • - Laboratory of Pyro- and Hydrometallurgical Research Methods;
  • - Laboratory of Metallurgical Processes, Thermal Engineering, and Powder Metallurgy;
  • - Laboratory of Nanotechnologies and Nanomaterials;
  • - Laboratory of Environmental Monitoring in the MMC.

Main areas of activity of the laboratories:

  1. 1) Automated prediction of the internal structure of the collapse of a blasted complex-structure bench block during blasting; development of innovative ore mining technologies that minimize losses and dilution. Development of specialized software for automated design and calculation of mining operations to optimize the extraction of solid mineral resources;
  2. 2) Development of resource-saving geotechnology for mineral extraction in complex mining and geological conditions. The primary purpose is to determine the physical and mechanical properties of rocks using servo-hydraulic systems from GCTS (USA). By ensuring safe spatial orientation of underground mine workings, especially in zones of geological disturbances, and conducting open-pit mining under conditions of critical exposure of the rock massif, several domestic mining enterprises have safely expanded their mineral resource base, enabling the return on R&D investments to increase by tens to hundreds of thousands of times.
  3. 3) Mineralogical studies of ores and their processing products using modern equipment, conducting atomic absorption and mass spectrometric analyses, determination of ions and cations in productive solutions by ion chromatography. Performing elemental analysis of ores and processing products using a modern high-performance energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometer Rigaku NEX CG II, as well as investigating the textural-structural and morphological characteristics of ores.
  4. 4) Laboratory, pilot-scale laboratory, and semi-industrial testing of developed beneficiation technologies for mineral and technogenic raw materials using gravity, flotation, and magnetic beneficiation methods; providing services for the study of physical and mechanical properties of ore (specific gravity and bulk density; Protodyakonov strength; Bond indices). The results are used to optimize technologies at operating beneficiation plants and to develop beneficiation technologies for new deposits.
  5. 5) Pyro- and hydrometallurgical processing of ores, intermediate products, and waste from beneficiation and metallurgical productions using roasting, smelting, heap and agitated leaching, and sorption methods for solution processing. Development of efficient technologies for metallurgical enterprises with the issuance of technological regulations.
  6. 6) Research is conducted in the fields of extractive metallurgy, powder metallurgy, metallurgical heat engineering, and the production of special materials in the form of powders of non-ferrous metals, refractories, and specialty alloys. Thermal engineering calculations and material composition analyses are performed. Development of turnkey technology — from raw materials to finished metal powders and nanopowders.
  7. 7) Development of nanomaterial synthesis technologies (semiconductors, polymers, bio- and nanomaterials, composites, etc.). Creation of new materials based on industrial waste using nanotechnologies. Within the research framework, semiconductor materials, geopolymers, and nanocomposites are being developed for application in various industries. Special attention is given to the creation of environmentally oriented nanomaterials for water and air purification.
  8. 8) Monitoring studies of soil, water bodies, and atmospheric air; determination of hydro-physical and hydro-chemical characteristics of surface, underground, and wastewater; sampling of water and soil for laboratory research; development of technologies for the treatment of domestic and industrial wastewater for mining and metallurgical enterprises; development of project documentation for obtaining comprehensive environmental permits for mining and metallurgical complex enterprises; environmental and economic support of projects developed by the engineering center of the mining and metallurgical complex (MMC).

Currently, the procedure for submitting applications for accreditation of laboratories is underway, which will ensure a full cycle of quality assessment of mineral and technogenic raw materials - from extraction to the production of finished products.