The NU School of Mining and Geosciences hosted a workshop, "Rehabilitation of Mining Sites and Bioremediation of Acid Mine Effluents", on September 11-13 as part of a collaborative initiative between France and Kazakhstan on water resource management.
The event is a key component of a broader project funded by the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, aimed at enhancing local expertise and promoting French innovation in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
Throughout the workshop, scientists, government officials, industry representatives, and experts addressed a critical issue in mining — the creation of acid-forming waste and the drainage of quarry voids.
Led by Christopher Bryan, a microbiologist with the French Geological Survey (BRGM), participants examined the environmental impact of mining on water systems and innovative techniques for managing and treating acid mine drainage.
The next workshop, focusing on aquifer recharge, will be held in Almaty from October 16 to 18 and will be led by BRGM expert Géraldine Picot.