News

Nazarbayev University Students Win at Reacthon Hackathon

2025-02-19 14:30 News_EN

Event Overview

This past weekend, on February 15-16, students from the School of Mining and Geosciences (SMG), the School of Sciences and Humanities (SSH), and the School of Engineering and Digital Sciences (SEDS) at Nazarbayev University showcased their innovative skills at the Reacthon Hackathon.
The event brought together around 100 students, highlighting the scale of the competition and the growing interest in technological innovations.
The hackathon was organized by the School of Engineering and Digital Sciences (SEDS) and the AIChE Club at Nazarbayev University. The main goal of the competition was for participants to develop cutting-edge solutions to critical challenges in the mining industry within 24 hours and present their projects to an expert jury.

🥇 Bozshakol Team Wins 1st Place – KAZ Minerals

Team Members:

  1. Danial Izbanov – Mining Engineering, 2nd year
  2. Argyn Abzhanov – Mining Engineering, 2nd year
  3. Zhanassyl Nusupzhan – Mining Engineering, 2nd year
  4. Yerkebulan Tazabek – Mining Engineering, 2nd year
  5. Margulan Magazhan – Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, 2nd year
The Bozshakol Team won 1st place with their groundbreaking solutions for gold extraction from copper ores using advanced technologies.

Team’s Solution

Computer Vision for Gold Detection
  • The students trained a computer vision model for automated gold detection in sulfide ores using microscopic thin section images.
  • They annotated hundreds of samples, achieving an accuracy rate of 82%.
3D Model of an Industrial Laboratory
  • The team developed a virtual model of an industrial laboratory, which allows for the automated processing of rock samples to detect gold particles.
Ozonation as a Safer Alternative to "Aqua Regia"
  • The students conducted a literature review on gold dissolution methods.
  • They proposed replacing the traditional "aqua regia" method (which uses highly concentrated acids) with a safer ozonation process (O₃ + HCl).
  • This new method accelerates gold extraction by 1.5 to 2 times and significantly reduces toxic emissions.

Recognition and Awards

KAZ Minerals praised the team’s work and acknowledged the potential real-world applications of their proposed solutions.
🏆 1st Place
🎓 Internship at KAZ Minerals
🎁 Merch from KAZ Minerals

🥈 OSSV-51 Team Wins 2nd Place – Fonet Yertai AK Mining

Team Members:

  1. Rustam Zhanabayev – Mining Engineering, 3rd year
  2. Yerassyl Chegedekov – Mining Engineering, 3rd year
  3. Rakhat Agassultanov – Chemical and Materials Engineering, 3rd year
  4. Kirill Zheltoukhov – Electrical and Computer Engineering, 3rd year
  5. Agzam Baizhumenov – Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, 3rd year
The OSSV-51 Team secured 2nd place, offering an innovative solution for optimizing the flotation process.

Team’s Solution

Optimizing Water Flow in a Flotation Cell
  • The team analyzed key issues in the process, including excessive foam formation, air pockets, and uneven water distribution.
Development of a Sprinkler System
  • They designed a 3D model of a sprinkler system in SolidWorks to optimize water distribution in the flotation cell.
  • The sprinklers help distribute water evenly, eliminating stagnant zones and improving flotation efficiency.
Mathematical Modeling of the Process
  • The team conducted fluid dynamics analysis.
  • They developed a mathematical model to determine the relationship between foam height and water flow velocity, allowing for optimal system configuration.

Recognition and Awards

Representatives from Fonet Yertai AK Mining highly appreciated the team’s work and noted its practical industrial potential.
🥈 2nd Place
🎁 Merch from Fonet Yertai AK Mining
🏭 Opportunity to visit Fonet Yertai AK Mining’s production facilities

Conclusion

These achievements demonstrate the high level of interdisciplinary training that Nazarbayev University students receive and their ability to tackle real-world industrial challenges by combining expertise in mining, materials science, chemistry, mechanical engineering, and programming.
  • The proposed solutions have the potential for real-world implementation in the mining industry, improving metal extraction and flotation processes.
  • Participation in the hackathon allowed students to connect with top industry leaders and gain valuable hands-on experience.
Congratulations to the "Bozshakol Team" and "OSSV-51" for their outstanding achievements!