Mine waste and its recycling in Kazakhstan

While Kazakhstan's mining sector drives the national economy, it generates substantial waste containing toxic heavy metals that pose environmental and health risks. Effective recycling is thus crucial for industrial and social sustainability. This study reviews Kazakh mine wastes (e.g. tailings and slags containing Cu, Zn, Au, and Fe) and applicable recycling methods, including chemical beneficiation, bioleaching, and filtration. Crucially, the Kazakh government is advancing waste valorization through fiscal reforms, such as proposed tax relief for processing technogenic formations, and the commissioning of new industrial recycling projects. Unlike previous studies treating technical and legal aspects in isolation, this review integrates metallurgical methods with these emerging policy shifts to offer a holistic roadmap for transitioning from waste disposal to resource recovery. Based on this survey, strategic recommendations are provided to promote sustainable mine waste recycling in Kazakhstan.