The relevance of the study is dictated by the growing role of the fuel and energy complex of developing countries in the decarbonization of the economy. The article discusses the digital transformation of mining enterprises in Kazakhstan, taking into account the transition to CRIRSCO international standards and growing competition in the global mineral market. The purpose of the study is to assess the current level of digitalization of the mining industry in Kazakhstan and to deepen the methodological apparatus of the geological and economic assessment of the enterprise based on the factual base of deposits. The role of the transformation of the mining sector in achieving the sustainability of the poorly diversified economy of Kazakhstan is shown. The importance of digitalization of the industry to complete the transition to CRIRSCO international standards and improve the assessment of the digital provision of enterprises in order to optimize their financial and economic policies is argued. It has been established that, at present, most of the enterprises in the investment-attractive mining sector have a low potential for the transition to a new technological paradigm. A methodological approach to the geological and economic assessment of these enterprises has been developed. To maintain high standards of management transparency through the digitalization of key business processes, along with well-known practices of economic analysis, the IDEF1 methodology was used. In order to expand the software ecosystem, the formats of electronic geological and economic databases are integrated into the digital infrastructure of the enterprise. It is substantiated that the introduction of high technologies in the mining industry requires institutional changes and coordinated interaction between the state, business, and universities as equal partners.

The geological industry of Kazakhstan is transiting to CRIRSCO, the international system of reporting standards for mineral reserves. In view of the set tasks, the problem of adjusting the geological and economic assessment of deposits is being updated in order to adapt it to the international requirements and to increase accessibility and transparency for a potential external investor. This research has been carried out on the basis of the Kazakhmys Corporation LLС, the largest international company engaged in exploring, mining and processing of various minerals. The authors of this paper have made an attempt to expand the geological and economic assessment of the enterprise by digitizing the key business processes. On the basis of the formed factual database of the geological and economic indicators and characteristics of the stratiform pyrite-copper-lead-zinc deposit Kusmuryn, which is part of the Kazakhmys Corporation LLС, the economic indicators of extracting associated components have been calculated. Digital transformation is a key area of technological development of the mining industry in Kazakhstan for the coming years. In this regard, automation of calculating the geological and economic assessment of the investigated field will allow the company not only to reduce investment and operating costs, but also to deepen the internal analytical work to monitor the effectiveness of the applied digital solutions. Transformation of the economy of Kazakhstan presupposes state support for promising regions. The article shows that transition of the Kusmuryn deposit to underground mining in the medium term will accelerate the solution of pressing regional problems and remove social tension in the monotowns adjacent to the deposit. In order to strengthen its position in the global economy, Kazakhstan strives to achieve socio-economic goals in the field of sustainable development. It has been established that changing the method of production and automation of business processes of the Kazakhmys Corporation LLС will have a positive effect on the energy efficiency due to more rational use of available technologies. The research will improve the validity of predictive management decisions to strengthen the financial and economic situation and the international positions of the mining and smelting enterprise.

The growing importance of the carbon footprint of products in international competition will intensify the search for new approaches to the decarbonization of countries with economies in transition. The article summarizes the results achieved by Kazakhstan in overcoming the difficulties of implementing a “green” approach and finding effective ways to decarbonize the economy. The methodological basis of the study is based on a systematic approach to assessing the sustainability of Kazakhstan’s development and summarizing the world experience of transition to a low-carbon economy. The authors focus on the current problems of the industry in the context of creating a circular economy based on renewable resources. The influence of the transformation of the energy system on the country’s economy is shown. It is substantiated that the decline in commodity prices in the world markets and the dependence of the economy on energy have a negative impact on both the fuel and energy complex and related industries. It has been established that one of the effective ways to strengthen the position of Kazakhstan in international value chains is the implementation of a proactive strategy for the decarbonization of industry, taking into account national interests. Given that the country continues to demonstrate relatively high levels of energy intensity on a global scale, the progress of the extractive industries requires government assistance and intensified public-private partnerships.

To strengthen its international position, Kazakhstan is updating the transition to economic decarbonization within the framework of the adopted long-term low-carbon development strategy. This article examines the current problems of decarbonization of the mining and metallurgical industry, which is one of the largest atmospheric pollutants. General scientific methods were used, including the descriptive method, methods of retrospective and cause-and-effect analysis, generalization and structuring of initial statistical data presented in the open press. It has been established that in the current situation of economic and political challenges, the growth of investments in renewable energy sources is focused not so much on achieving environmental indicators, but rather reflects the desireof countries importing energy raw materials to increase their energy security. It is substantiated that the development of ESG principles is becoming a primary factor ensuring the competitiveness of enterprises and the priority of internal production goals of sustainable development. The study analyzes the prospects for using the best available techniques in the low-carbon development strategy of industrial enterprises. The authors conclude that achieving carbon neutrality will require the state to adopt a systematic approach to coal mining as the main source of energy generation. It is shown that institutional measures that stimulate the decarbonization of the mining and metallurgical sector of Kazakhstan in the medium and long term will increase energy efficiency and accelerate the transition of industrial enterprises to renewable energy. The example of Kazakhstan can be useful for countries expanding the presence of mining and metallurgical enterprises in the international market by mastering various decarbonization mechanisms, disclosing information on sustainable development and taking into account ESG risks.

This study presents the authors’ perspective on Kazakhstan’s position during the shift in global competition from hydrocarbon extraction to the race for critical mineral resources in the context of the global energy transition. Describing the response of Kazakhstan’s mining industry to this challenge, the authors offer developing countries a theoretical and practical framework for formulating a new strategy aimed at minimizing environmental impact and finding new ways to create the necessary conditions for the functioning of the rare earth metals industry. This strategy takes into account not only the prerequisites but also the restraining factors for its development against the backdrop of a changing geoeconomic landscape. The study demonstrates that the growing importance of critical minerals to the global economy, coupled with limited access to them for many countries, could shift Kazakhstan’s position. There is an opportunity not only to conduct responsible exploration, extraction, and processing of critical minerals and to establish a full technological cycle to meet domestic demand, but also for the country to carve out a niche as a global player in the high-tech industry. Kazakhstan could integrate into international technological supply chains, thereby strengthening its strategic autonomy and enhancing its perception by the international community as a key region supplying critical minerals to the global market. In a context where geopolitical factors, including regional conflicts, are increasing the importance of transcontinental routes and strategic raw materials, the authors’ proposals may be useful for countries with transitional economies in developing plans to diversify sources of critical mineral supplies. A promising area for future research is the study of the role of junior mining companies as new players in the resource extraction sector, as well as expanding their involvement in critical mineral supply chains to strengthen Kazakhstan’s strategic position within the new energy paradigm.

В статье рассматриваются подходы к формированию новой модели экономического роста Казахстана – экспортно-ориентированной экономике с высокой добавленной стоимостью. Показано, что замедление трансформационных процессов в промышленности во многом обусловлено инертностью структурных экспортных изменений. Выявлены ключевые факторы, препятствующие продвижению промышленных предприятий на мировые рынки. Анализируются среднесрочные перспективы диверсификации экономики с акцентом на рост ее самодостаточности и конкурентоспособности несырьевого сектора. Обсуждаются новые меры государственного регулирования индустриально-инновационной деятельности предприятий обрабатывающей промышленности в 2021-2025 гг., учитывающие стандарты ОЭСР и передовой зарубежный опыт. Результаты исследования могут быть полезны странам с транзитной экономикой.