Geology and exploration
- Prospecting and exploration of sandstone-type uranium deposits to expand the uranium resource base of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Services
Volkovgeology JSC operates in the following areas:
Operating cycle
From prospecting to commercial operation
Volkovgeology JSC provides integrated geological, technological and analytical support throughout the operating cycle.
- 01Prospecting
- 02Exploration
- 03Engineering
- 04Process-well drilling
- 05Mining operations support
Areas of activity
Capability profile
The scope of work is organised by functional area.
Drilling and engineering
- Construction of exploration, hydrogeological and process wells to support mining operations
- Design and operation of mining facilities
Analytics, radioecology and environmental services
- Radioecological assessment and support for exploration and process-well drilling in Kazakhstan
- Analytical determination of radioactive and associated elements in rocks and groundwater
- Environmental works and services
- Handling of ionising radiation sources
Production and technical support
- Manufacture and repair of mobile drilling rigs
- Manufacture and overhaul of rock-drilling tools, equipment and motor vehicles
- Manufacture of transport containers and packaging sets for radioactive materials
HydrogeologyHydrogeological servicesFull cycle, from water demand calculation and well drilling to groundwater reserve approval and special water use permits.
Radioecological support
Radioecological support of process-well drilling has been provided to
- RU-6 LLP
- Semizbay-U LLP
- Kazatomprom-SaUran LLP
- APPAK LLP
- JV Akbastau JSC
- JV Inkai LLP
Material and technical resources
Production capacity
- 120
- drilling units in the company fleet
- 9
- high-performance KZ 800 A hydraulic drilling units manufactured by KOKEN, Japan
- ~90%
- share of the drilling market within NAC Kazatomprom JSC
Volkovgeology JSC operates a fleet of 120 drilling units, including nine high-performance KZ 800 A hydraulic rigs manufactured by KOKEN, Japan. By drilling-fleet size, the Company is one of the leading exploration contractors in the CIS.
Volkovgeology JSC accounts for approximately 90% of Kazatomprom's drilling market. It provides geological support across the Group's full operating cycle — from uranium prospecting and exploration to bringing deposits into commercial operation — and drills process wells for mine-development work at uranium operations.
Technology development
Research and development
Volkovgeology JSC conducts research and development in drilling technology and the introduction of new equipment. The company has developed and implemented improved well-completion units equipped with new types of process tools and devices, including jet apparatus and hydraulic impulse systems; polymer fluids for process and exploration drilling; and bentonite sleeves that replaced conventional cement-based annular sealing, providing high-quality isolation and significant cost savings.
The company continues to develop and introduce modern rock-cutting tools and technical solutions designed to improve drilling productivity and reduce non-productive costs and downtime.
Developments and implemented solutions
- Well-completion units
- Jet apparatus and hydraulic impulse systems
- Polymer drilling fluids
- Bentonite sleeves
- New-generation rock-cutting tools
Official materials