Mineral–industrial mega complex — the basis of scientific and technological progress

The mineral–industrial mega complex (MIMC) in Kazakhstan is described. The place of the complex in the world mineral resources and reserves is shown, and the volumes of the main products of MIMC during the last years are given. The high-priority objectives of MIMC in modern conditions are highlighted. The mathematical models of mineral raw materials at each stage of mining and processing are given. On this basis, recommendations on integrated and comprehensive utilization of mineral resources are given. The technical and economic criteria are substantiated for selecting effective methods for extraction of rare earth metals (REM) from multi-component ores. It is shown that new technologies and equipment adaptable to natural and process properties of a raw material from a particular mineral object can provide high level of REM extraction in order to worthily represent MIMC in the world market of rare earth metals. The article is prepared within a project supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Project 2023/AP19676591: Development of Innovative Technologies for Complete Extraction of Isolated Standard-Quality Ores from Structurally Complex Bench Blocks.