On the vast land of Urzhar region in Abay Oblast, Kazakhstan, 21 plots are about to commence mining operations for clay and gravel. These seemingly ordinary sand and gravel materials will be used for the construction of the Bakhti Ayaguz railway line. This railway will open the third railway port from Kazakhstan to China, the Bakht Tacheng Passage. After completion, the freight capacity of the Kazakhstan China railway will jump from 28 million tons to 48 million tons, opening up a new steel artery for trade between Central Asia and China.

Twenty one plots of sand and gravel mining

China Harbour Engineering Corporation Kazakhstan Branch plans to mine ordinary mineral resources in 21 plots in the Urzhar area of Abay Oblast, including 21 sections of 70 kilometers, 77 kilometers, 83 kilometers, etc., for the construction of the Bakhti Ayaguz railway line. The railway line will connect to the Semey Aktogai section, and the project aims to implement President Tokayev's directive to enhance Kazakhstan's transportation and transit potential. The company has issued multiple mineral resource mining announcements, all involving clay and gravel materials for railway construction.

The third railway port will be opened

During the construction of the new railway line, Kazakhstan plans to open its third railway border port between Kazakhstan and China - the Bakht Tacheng Port. At present, there are two railway ports between Kazakhstan and China, Alataw Pass and Khorgos. With the continuous growth of bilateral trade, the existing port capacity tends to be saturated. After the completion of the Bakhti Ayaguz railway line, it will significantly enhance the railway freight capacity between Kazakhstan and China, increasing from 28 million tons to 48 million tons, effectively alleviating the transit pressure on existing southern ports and attracting more transit trade volume. Keywords: the Belt and Road news network, railway infrastructure

Expected to operate in 2027

The railway is expected to be put into operation in 2027 and will become an important logistics channel connecting eastern Kazakhstan with northwest China. The construction of this railway is accelerating, from sand and gravel mining in Abai Oblast to the laying of railway tracks at Bakht Port. The project will not only enhance the level of connectivity between Kazakhstan and China, but also inject new momentum into Kazakhstan's transportation and transit potential, promoting regional economic coordinated development.Editor/Gao Xue