COME Services
Chemical and analytical laboratory
The laboratory performs full and abbreviated chemical analyses of water, ore, rock and process-solution samples; radiochemical preparation; atomic-emission, X-ray fluorescence and gamma-spectrometric analyses; determination of alpha and beta activity, polonium-210 and lead-210; mineralogical and particle-size analysis; and process tests that model in-situ uranium leaching.
New drilling and prospecting technologies unit
The unit designs and introduces technical solutions for drilling and exploration, improves drilling methods and fluid formulations, supports real-time well-construction control, coordinates remedial work on process wells and conducts research in exploration and forecasting methods.
Cooperation with the Central Experimental and Methodological Expedition enables clients to
- Deliver turnkey exploration projects covering the full scope of field tasks and analytical studies in domestic and international solid-mineral markets
- Digitise business processes
- Receive end-to-end project support from experienced specialists and develop professional capabilities
- Develop technical solutions that improve drilling efficiency and reduce costs
- Deliver solid-mineral exploration and analytical orders for non-ferrous and precious metals, including gold, aluminium and copper
- Commercialise technologies, expertise and intellectual developments through international links with foreign organisations and research centres
- Achieve production objectives with an advanced exploration enterprise operating in the CIS market
Production cluster and project portfolio
- Geology: prospecting and exploration
- Design, development, implementation and improvement of technical equipment for drilling and exploration
- Chemical and analytical studies and laboratory testing
- Research and development in digitisation, geology, process engineering and chemical technology
Geology and geological-data digitisation
Geology
- Preparation of uranium prospecting and exploration programmes in Kazakhstan
- Preparation of feasibility studies for permanent cut-off parameters and uranium reserve reports for submission to the State Reserves Committee
- Environmental studies during prospecting and exploration
- Geological support for drilling operations
- A new area: design of beryllium exploration programmes
- Research in the uranium industry
- Thematic studies
- Solid-mineral projects
Geological-data digitisation
- Development and operation of the geological and geophysical information and analytical system
- Organisation, coordination and control of the Rudnik database for geological and geophysical well surveys
- Development of software and technical tools for converting local databases into the Rudnik data bank
- Methodological support for information technologies used in prospecting and appraisal
Chemical analysis and laboratory research
Chemical and analytical unit capabilities
- Testing of rocks and ores from solid-mineral deposits for uranium and associated components, including rhenium and selenium
- Radioecological studies for heavy metals, total alpha and beta activity, and lead and polonium isotopes in water
- Testing of groundwater and surface water for uranium and associated components
- Mineralogical studies of the material composition of rocks and ores
Chemical and analytical unit objectives
- Testing samples strictly within the accredited scope and in accordance with applicable measurement procedures
- Maintaining a continuously operating quality-management system for customer services
- Ensuring complete, correct, objective and reliable test results
- Introducing modern measurement methods and equipment
- Maintaining compliance with ST RK ISO/IEC 17025-2019
Scientific and technological ecosystem
Research is focused on improving production tasks while reducing drilling and exploration costs. Volkovgeology JSC has the archives, specialists, licences, facilities and infrastructure required to deliver turnkey production and research projects from interpretation of historical data through laboratory analysis and final reserve reporting.
COME research and development areas
Permits and standards
Current licences
- Licence No. 24033520 of 21 November 2024 — handling of radioactive substances and of devices and installations containing them
- Licence No. 24034286 of 2 December 2024 — handling of devices and installations generating ionising radiation
- Licence No. 24036350 of 26 December 2024 — provision of services in the field of atomic energy use
Accreditation and standards
- Testing laboratory accreditation certificate No. KZ.T.02.3183, valid until 25 August 2031
- ST AO VG 15.1-2020 — standard on employee innovation activities at NAC Kazatomprom JSC and Volkovgeology JSC
Process-well drilling
- Design and implementation of technical equipment for drilling and exploration
- Improvement of drilling processes
- Development and improvement of drilling-fluid formulations
- Improvement of well-completion technology
- Monitoring and coordination of remedial work on process wells
- Development and monitoring of new drilling tools
- Reduction of costs and non-productive time and improvement of drilling productivity
Cooperation on research and development projects
- R&D project No. 1
Creation of a geological-information database; deposit modelling; sedimentology and stratigraphy of Kazakhstan's subsurface; and an AI-supported dynamic in-situ digital model.
An assignment arising from the Address of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev dated 1 September 2021.
- R&D project No. 2
Advanced prospecting technologies using satellite, geophysical, ground-based and unmanned survey methods, including geophysical and topographic drones.
- R&D project No. 3
Chemical and analytical cluster and alternative in-situ recovery technologies for solid minerals and other mineral resources.
- R&D project No. 4
A geological module for monitoring, accounting for and controlling the depletion of reserves, with process digitisation.
- R&D project No. 5
Environment and sustainable development: extraction of casing from depleted wells for reuse in new process wells.
- R&D project No. 6
Directional-drilling technologies for ore located beneath difficult-to-access areas such as water bodies and rivers.
- R&D project No. 7
Development of drilling rigs for domestic production needs.