Integrated solutions in geological exploration and subsoil use

Said Sultanov is a mining and exploration professional and entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in Canada, the UK and Central Asia. His experience covers mineral exploration, geophysics, investment, M&A and development of mining projects in Kazakhstan.

Education

• Downside School, UK — 1997–2003
• University College London (UCL) — BA in Economics and Business with Eastern European Studies, 2003–2006

Career Highlights

• Began his career in Canada in 2006, working in mining M&A and investment advisory.
• Joined Stans Energy Corp in 2008, working on acquisitions and the company’s TSX-V listing.
• Served as Deputy Head of Kazgeoinform from 2013, where he worked on the development of a digital mineral resources map and the introduction of CRIRSCO reporting standards.
• In 2014, headed KazGeotech, a joint project of Kazgeology and Geotech Ltd., and worked on airborne geophysical projects for international mining companies.
• Founded Aurora Minerals Group in 2015 and currently serves as Chairman of the Board of AMG Ltd., overseeing the strategic development of the group focused on mineral exploration, geophysics and mining project development.
• Co-founded the Kazakhstan Chamber of Mines in 2023.
• Since 2024, Managing Director of Xcalibur Smart Mapping Kazakhstan, focusing on the development of airborne geophysical and geological mapping projects in Kazakhstan.

Current Focus

Sultanov is involved in the development of mining and exploration companies in Kazakhstan, with a focus on mineral exploration, application of modern geophysical technologies, investment and development of the country’s mineral potential.

Xcalibur Smart Mapping

Xcalibur Smart Mapping is an international company specializing in airborne geophysical surveys and geological mapping. The company provides end-to-end services, including data acquisition, processing, interpretation, and geophysical data management.

Xcalibur works across mineral exploration, oil and gas, groundwater, and geothermal energy.

The company has 16 offices, approximately 40 specialized aircraft, and 88 geophysical systems. Xcalibur has been present in Kazakhstan since 2023, with an office in Astana.

Kapénova Madina Rashidovna is a highly qualified specialist with over 15 years of experience in subsoil use and geological exploration.

Education:

• Karaganda State Technical University — Geology and Exploration of Mineral Deposits.
• Karaganda Economic University — Jurisprudence.
• Master of Business Administration (MBA).

Key Achievements:

• Participation in the development and implementation of the Subsoil and Subsoil Use Code.
• Processing over 100 subsoil use licenses covering a total area of 9,000 sq. km.
• Conducting successful negotiations with investors and participating in M&A transactions in the subsoil use sector.
• Effective interaction with government agencies, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.

Professional Experience: Worked at the Ministry of Industry and Infrastructure Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan, managed subsoil use projects including licensing and contract execution. Since 2022, she has held the position of Managing Director of Subsoil Use at “Aurora Group”.

Madina Rashidovna is a key figure in the development of “Aurora Group”, making a significant contribution to the sustainable growth of the company and the industry as a whole.

Raziev Vitaliy Sergeyevich is the Head of the Transport and Logistics Department, an experienced specialist with over 15 years of experience in logistics and transport operations management.

Education:

• M.S. Narikbayev KAZGUU University — Faculty of “Law Enforcement Agencies.”

Key Achievements:

• Reduced logistics costs by 25% through process optimization and the implementation of modern technologies.
• Increased department efficiency by 30% through the adoption of innovative solutions.
• Enhanced the throughput capacity of the transport network by 15%, contributing to higher productivity and reduced costs.

Professional Experience:

• Began his career at Kazakhstan’s largest grain company, ensuring the economic security of business processes.
• Led the commercial department at Green House, successfully managing a team and strategic projects.
• Since 2016, he has been leading the transport and logistics department at “Aurora Group”, implementing advanced approaches to supply chain management.

Vitaliy Sergeyevich makes a significant contribution to strengthening “Aurora Group” position in the transport and logistics sector, ensuring high efficiency and reliability.

Nurkhanuly Ulan is a highly qualified geologist with over 15 years of experience in Kazakhstan’s mining industry.

Education:

• Satbayev Kazakh National Technical University — Geology and Exploration of Mineral Deposits.
• Carleton University (Canada) — Master of Science in Earth Sciences (Bolashak Scholarship).

Key Achievements:

• Leadership of geological exploration projects, including evaluation and development of deposits.
• Processing contracts and licenses for mineral exploration and extraction.
• Implementation of advanced management and exploration methods to improve operational efficiency.

Professional Experience:

• Worked for leading companies in Kazakhstan, including JSC “Volkovgeology” and LLP “SP Inkai.”
• Specialized in geology, geophysics, and mining operations management.
• Since 2024, he has been serving as the Head of the Geology Department at “Aurora Group”, overseeing the implementation of key geological exploration projects.

Ulan Nurkhanuly significantly contributes to the development of “Aurora Group”, ensuring its success in geological exploration.

• 2008–2015 – Participated in 42 court proceedings, representing the interests of the state on behalf of the Ministries of Energy and Industry.

Result: 40 court decisions were issued in favor of the ministries.

• 2014–2017 – Applied a project management approach to the planning, development, and coordination of the Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Subsoil and Subsoil Use.”

Result: The draft Code was submitted to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan for signature within the deadlines established by the Government’s Legislative Work Plan, without any extensions.

• 2018 – Applied a project management approach in the development and coordination of the urgent (5-month) draft Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Amendments and Additions to Certain Legislative Acts on Venture Financing.”

Result: The draft Law was submitted within the deadlines established by the Government’s Legislative Work Plan.

• 2022 – Head of the Project Office at the Ministry of Information and Social Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Result: Within five months, the Ministry improved its ranking from 5th to 2nd place among 38 central and local government bodies.

Education

Graduated from Saint Petersburg State University with a degree in Geophysical Methods for Prospecting and Exploration of Mineral Deposits, qualifying as a geologist-geophysicist.

Key Expertise and Achievements

• Extensive experience in magnetic surveying, the induced polarization (IP) method, and other geophysical exploration methods.
• Leadership of geophysical departments and research activities, with a focus on field data quality, quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC), and interpretation of survey results.
• Development and implementation of innovative geophysical techniques for mineral exploration and engineering geophysics.
• Management and delivery of complex exploration projects based on the integrated analysis of geological and geophysical data.
• Identification and evaluation of prospective mineral exploration targets across Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East.

Professional Experience

Anton has extensive experience working with mineral exploration and engineering companies, contributing to the planning and execution of geophysical surveys and the interpretation of results for mineral exploration and engineering projects.

At Aurora Geophysics, Anton provides technical expertise in geophysical method selection, survey design, fieldwork planning, data interpretation, and mineral prospect evaluation.

Education:

• Tomsk Polytechnic University – Geology and Mineral Exploration;
• Semey Geological Exploration College – Geological Surveying, Prospecting, and Mineral Exploration;

Key Achievements:

• Management of several promising gold and copper exploration projects; development of exploration work programs;
• Conducting comprehensive analysis of historical geological data, creating databases, and developing recommendations for further study and evaluation of promising sites;
• The youngest nominee for the 2023 “Golden Hephaestus” Award in the category “Mining in Kazakhstan—A Continuous Link Between Generations.”

Professional Experience:

• She began her career at a gold mine in Eastern Kazakhstan, where she worked as a field geologist for the open-pit mine and an underground geologist for the mine, gaining practical experience in providing geological support for mining and exploration operations. Since 2021, she has been part of the Aurora Group team, where she works on geological exploration projects—from studying historical data and building databases to identifying promising areas, planning surveys, and evaluating the results of geological exploration work.

Education:

▪ Anhui University of Technology (China) — Master of Economics, International Trade and Business.
▪ L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University (Kazakhstan) — Bachelor of Arts, International Relations.

Key Achievements:

▪ Driving business and project development through deep knowledge of the Group’s operations, mineral projects and market environment.

▪ Managing end-to-end commercial processes, including client engagement, commercial proposals, negotiations and contract coordination.

▪ Supporting the development and positioning of Aurora’s mineral projects through investment materials, project presentations and strategic business communications.

▪ Coordinating the Group’s participation in international mining events, exhibitions, and strategic industry initiatives.

▪ Developing relationships with international mining companies, investors and strategic partners across Kazakhstan and international markets.

Kamilla contributes to the development of Aurora Group’s business and mineral projects through commercial expertise, international business knowledge and a deep understanding of the Group’s operations and strategic priorities.

Education:
Karaganda Economic University – Bachelor’s Degree in Law.
College of Economics, Business and Law of Kazpotrebsoyuz.

Professional Experience and Key Achievements:

Gaukhar began her legal career in 2021 at the Specialized Interdistrict Economic Court of the Karaganda Region, where she gained practical experience in economic disputes and court proceedings involving legal entities, including matters related to subsoil use and contractual relations.

Since 2023, Gaukhar has been working at Aurora, specializing in legal support for the Group’s activities in the areas of subsoil use, corporate law, and investment transactions.

Gaukhar is involved in the structuring and legal support of Aurora’s key transactions and mineral projects, ranging from the acquisition and transfer of rights and assets to investor relations, joint venture formation, and strategic partnerships.

Her responsibilities include supporting M&A and JV transactions, preparing and negotiating shareholder and investment agreements, share and equity purchase agreements, option agreements, and other commercial contracts, as well as providing legal support during due diligence processes.

A significant area of Gaukhar’s practice is the corporate administration of the Group’s companies within the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC). She manages company incorporations and re-registrations, changes in share capital and shareholder structures, the creation and issuance of different classes of shares, share reorganizations and redistributions, appointments and replacements of directors, company name and registered address changes, amendments to constitutional documents, and other corporate and registration procedures within the AIFC.

Gaukhar also advises on obtaining, renewing, and transferring licenses for the exploration of solid minerals, liaises with government authorities, and provides legal support to projects at various stages of their development.

Through her work, Gaukhar contributes to the advancement of Aurora Group’s mineral projects by providing comprehensive legal support and protecting the Group’s interests, from corporate structuring and securing subsoil rights to the execution of investment transactions, fundraising initiatives, and the development of international partnerships.