1921-1924

In 1921-1924, as a result of geological survey at a scale of 1:200000, N.N. Gornostayev made the first geological map of the area and developed stratigraphy. Serpentized ultrabasic rocks were found at the Izvestkovoe village on the right bank of the Irtysh river for the first time.

1931

In 1931, when searching for limestones suitable for cement production, V.I. Levin (Dolonskaya geological survey area) also confirmed the presence of serpentinite.

1932

In 1932, as part of the assessment of coal-bearing area, E.D. Shlygin noted the nickel content of the serpentinite.

1959

In 1959, according to the results of geological and geophysical survey, the senior researcher of Kaz. IMSA, N.V. Suspitsin, confirms that the described area has nickel.

1960-1968

From 1960 to 1968, the Gornostaevsky exploration crew searched and evaluated the area to assess the nickel content within the ultrabasic rock belt. In the course of the works, ultrabasic rock belt was identified which was given the name Gornostaevsky. As a result of these works, a large Gornostaevskoe field of silicate nickel ores was opened. According to the 1968 report, the reserves calculated for the 1.0% variant of conventional nickel in the counting block, for the C2 category, were: ore – 65,206 thousand tons, nickel – 536.4 thousand tons, cobalt – 38.2 thousand tons, with an average content of: nickel – 0.83%, cobalt – 0.059%.

1998

In 1998, a «Report on preliminary exploration of the Gornostaevskoe cobalt and nickel field with the calculation of cobalt and nickel reserves as of January 01, 1998» was written. The report was reviewed by the State Commission for Mineral Reserves of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Protocol No. 31-99-A of July 21, 1999). Mineral resources of the Gornostaevskoe field in the C2 category were approved in the following quantities:

– Ores – 20,370.0 thousand tons

– Nickel – 173,182 tons (with an average content of 0.85%)

– Cobalt – 11,983 tons (with an average content of 0.059%)

2004-2019

KAZNICKEL LLP has continued carrying out a complex of geological exploration works since 2004. According to an independent assessment by CSA Global, as of 2019, mineral resources of the Gornostaevskoe cobalt and nickel field within the geological allotment of KAZNICKEL LLP are:

– Nickel – 627.6 thousand tons (with an average content of 0.59%)

– Cobalt – 42.23 thousand tons (with an average content of 0.039%)

The resources outside of the geological allotment of KAZNICKEL LLP are:

– Nickel – 1000.8 thousand tons (with an average content of 0.59%)

– Cobalt – 65.81 thousand tons (with an average content of 0.039%)