Socio-economic research on the Ulmus Besshoki project

As part of the assessment of potential environmental and social impacts of the planned activities of JSC "ULMUS BESSHOKY" for the copper mining project, meetings were held with representatives of local authorities and administration, residents of nearby settlements, and farmers between April 14 and 23, 2025. In particular, in-depth interviews were conducted with Arman Shalievich Bagdatov, Deputy Akim of Aktogay District, and Darkhan Saulekhanovich Zhiyenbayev, Deputy Akim of Karkaraly District, as well as with akims and aksakals of rural districts in Aktogay and Karkaraly districts. The field socio-economic studies also included: 

- conducting focus group discussions in 12 villages located closest to the Besshoky deposit (Berekе, Abay, Ayirtas, Sona in Aktogay District; Saryobaly, Beldeutas, Akbay-Kyzylbay, Akkora, Aynabulak, Tomar, Karagash, Tatan in Karkaraly District), 

- conducting expert interviews with representatives of farming households whose land plots may be affected by exploration activities and the upcoming development of the deposit.