ASSESSMENT OF THE POTENTIAL OF SUSTAINABLE WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT IN KAZAKHSTAN’S MINING REGIONS

https://doi.org/10.48498/minmag.2026.249.1.008

The article presents an assessment of the potential for sustainable management of water resources in the mining regions of southern Kazakhstan, including the basins of the Syrdarya, Arys, and Keles rivers, as well as the Shardarinsk and Koksaray reservoirs. Hydrochemical methods were applied, including etermination of pH, electrical conductivity, mineralization, major ions, and heavy metals, along with statistical analysis of water balance and consumption. The average annual flow of the Syrdarya was 38.5 km³, with average mineralization ranging from 0.45 to 1.2 g/L. Exceedances of MAC were detected downstream for Fe (up to 1.8 mg/L) and Mn (up to 0.12 mg/L). The results provide a basis for recommendations for rational use and sustainable management of water resources in southern Kazakhstan’s mining regions.

R. Kenzhebay, *D. Uteeva, E. Zhumadilova, G. Baimukasheva