Recently, China Construction Hengxin Mining Co., Ltd. completed its registration at the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) with a registered capital of US$5 million. Founded by Chinese national Jian Zheng, the company specializes in geological exploration, surveying, and mineral extraction services.

The company is registered at Block B, 56 Kabanbay Batyr Avenue, Astana—a location already hosting several other Chinese mining enterprises. Tianshan Resources Co., Ltd., registered in June, was established by Zijin Mining Group through a subsidiary and focuses on geological exploration and resource assessment; on July 1, Central Asia Jinyuan Mining was also registered at this address, with Chinese nationals among its shareholders. The co-location of these three Chinese-funded mining enterprises is viewed by the market as a signal of a strategic layout aimed at synergy and long-term development.

Zijin Mining’s footprint in Kazakhstan is particularly notable. In October 2025, Zijin completed the acquisition of a 100% stake in the RG Gold mine through its subsidiary, Zijin Gold International. Located in the Akmola Region, the mine holds 197.4 tonnes of gold reserves and produces approximately 6 tonnes of gold annually. Following the acquisition, Zijin plans to invest US$600 million in the mine's further development. The establishment of Tianshan Resources represents a crucial step in Zijin’s strategy to build an exploration hub in Central Asia and achieve an integrated "exploration-extraction-operation" layout. Keywords: China Construction Hengxin Mining, AIFC, Zijin Mining, Tianshan Resources, Central Asia Jinyuan Mining, RG Gold, Kazakhstan.

As a special financial jurisdiction within Kazakhstan, the AIFC operates under the English common law system, permits 100% foreign ownership, and imposes no currency controls; it has attracted over 5,700 enterprises from more than 90 countries. The concentrated establishment of Chinese mining firms like China Construction Hengxin signals that Chinese mining capital is leveraging the AIFC as a strategic pivot to systematically deepen its engagement with Kazakhstan’s mineral resource landscape. Editor/Sunyaxin