Launch of a unique production of branded selenium in cooperation with “Kazakhmys Progress” company

Satbayev University and its subsidiaries are actively working with production, creating new methods of innovative production. As a result of such cooperation, a unique workshop for producing rough selenium from “Kazakhmys Progress” was opened in Balkhash in 2023.

The new production facility is a modern production site, which implements technological innovations of world standard. The project includes two independent technologies: vacuum-thermal refining of rough selenium, which is being introduced for the first time in the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and processing of dump slag of the precious metal workshop owing to the method of reducing electric melting.

The new production is based on the new technology elaborated by scientists of Metallurgy and Enrichment Institute at Satbayev University the given technology allows to obtain high-purity selenium of more than 99.5% purity without the use of expensive reagents. The planned annual volume of processing of raw materials is 75 tons. This project opens up new prospects for domestic science and industry, as well as provides an opportunity to enter the world markets with the competitive product.

The developments were started in 2007, the first results were obtained within the framework of grant and program-targeted financing of Science Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The trials, after many years of research and development, took place on the basis of Metallurgy and Enrichment Institute at Satbayev University. After discussing the results and studying all the nuances, with the active support of the local executive body of the Karaganda region and the management of Kazakhmys Corporation company, a pilot production was launched in Balkhash on the industrial premises of “Kazakhmys Progress.” The technology has proven its effectiveness and has been tested on many types of materials, which allowed it to be put into commercial operation in a short time.

Project results:

• New opportunities have been opened for producing the selenium not only from traditional raw materials, but also from man-made waste
• Improved selenium production efficiency
• New jobs have been created and prospects for the region and the whole country have been expanded
• A step forward has been made in the field of national economy modernization