The Krasno-Oktyabrskoye Bauxite Mining Unit (KBRU) of Aluminium of Kazakhstan JSC, owned by Eurasian Resources Group (ERG), a global metals and mining company, has launched a project to vertically extract bauxite using rotary drilling
Equipment has been commissioned at open pit No.4 of the Vostochno-Ayatskoye mine. In June 2026, representatives from Bauer presented miners with a symbolic key, and commercial drilling was started, marking the first time the vertical bauxite mining technique has been used worldwide.
The new technique will complement conventional open-pit mining. It will be used in previously mined areas of existing open pits where deep-seated bauxite reserves cannot be developed by conventional methods, or where doing so would be uneconomical because it would require removing a large volume of overburden.
The main piece of equipment used for the project is a 133-tonne, 580hp Bauer BG 45 heavy-duty hydraulic rotary drilling rig. Fitted with a telescopic Kelly bar and a bucket auger, the machine can extract bauxite vertically from depths of up to 100m without using explosives.
Ivan Lobanov, chief mining engineer at Aluminium of Kazakhstan JSC, said, “The vertical mining project is an important strategic step for the Aluminium Division. The new technology helps cut costs and significantly reduces the volume of overburden removal. We can extract ore with greater precision, manage the quality of raw materials more effectively, and develop sites that used to be uneconomical. We are the first in the world to apply this technology in bauxite mining.”
Economic benefits
The development of hard-to-reach reserves is expected to provide an additional 12 million tonnes of bauxite over the next decade, helping extend the mine’s life and secure a steady supply of raw materials for the Pavlodar Aluminium Plant.
High-quality raw materials
Selective mining helps to minimise the amount of waste rock mixed with bauxite, resulting in higher-quality raw materials for processing.
Reduced environmental impact and improved safety
As the technology does not require drilling and blasting, it helps avoid seismic impacts and reduce dust generation. The mining operations will also take place within existing open pits, decreasing the area of disturbed land, while the reduced use of heavy machinery helps to minimise the overall environmental footprint.
Ruslan Aslyamov, operations director at the Krasno-Oktyabrskoye Bauxite Mining Unit, said, “The deposits developed by the Krasno-Oktyabrskoye Bauxite Mining Unit have a complex geological structure, which is why deep mining is becoming increasingly costly. Vertical extraction allows us to maintain the required production rate and use available resources more efficiently. This is an example of how modern technologies help improve mining efficiency and support the stable operation of the enterprise.”
The project is particularly notable as Bauer BG drilling rigs were originally designed for foundation construction and geotechnical work. Specialists from Aluminium Kazakhstan JSC, in collaboration with German partners, have been the first to adapt this equipment for commercial bauxite mining.
Ore is currently being mined at the VAM-4 open pit with both methods used in parallel, and KBRU employees are receiving hands-on training from BAUER engineers in preparation for the further roll-out of the technology.
