Condor Energies has been granted a second critical minerals mining licence in Kazakhstan, allowing for six years of exploration in a 6,800-hectare area. This licence complements an existing one and is situated in a geologically significant region. The company aims to contribute to sustainable supply chains while expanding its energy projects in Central Asia.
Condor Energies, a Canadian company focused on energy transition, has recently received its second mining licence for critical minerals from the Kazakh government. This new Kolkuduk licence encompasses 6,800 hectares and permits exploration of solid minerals for six years. It is strategically located near Condor’s existing 37,300-hectare Sayakbay licence in a geologically active area that facilitates brine deposits migration.
Situated between Europe and China, these licences provide essential access to critical minerals markets. Notably, a previous hydrocarbon exploration well in the Kolkuduk area discovered brine with lithium concentrations reaching 130 milligrams per litre. Historical data also reveals the presence of a 1,000-meter column of brine reservoirs linked with minerals such as rubidium, strontium, and cesium.
Condor Energies’ president and CEO, Don Streu, emphasized that the company’s focus on critical minerals supports the strategic needs of various nations striving to establish secure and sustainable mineral supply chains. He noted, “Kazakhstan is one of the select group of minerals-producing countries identified as strategic to these efforts,” highlighting the importance of critical minerals for national security and economic prosperity.
Streu further remarked that Condor’s initiatives on critical minerals align with its ongoing projects in Uzbekistan related to natural gas and in Kazakhstan involving liquefied natural gas (LNG) transportation. This positions the firm as a valuable source of secure and stable energy and mineral supply in Central Asia’s geopolitically significant region, potentially generating multiple revenue streams amidst fluctuating economic and geopolitical scenarios.
In related developments, Ivanhoe Mines has partnered with the UK’s Pallas Resources to explore the Chu-Sarysu copper basin in Kazakhstan.
In summary, Condor Energies has secured a second critical minerals licence in Kazakhstan, enhancing its strategic positioning in the market for essential minerals. The Kolkuduk licence allows for significant exploration opportunities, particularly in lithium and other valuable minerals. Under the leadership of Don Streu, the company aims to respond to global demand for sustainable supply chains of critical minerals while expanding its business in Central Asia. The synergy between its various energy projects is expected to provide robust revenue streams in the years to come.
Original Source: www.mining-technology.com
