Kazakhstan is moving forward with plans to create a large geological cluster, including a state-of-the-art geoanalytics laboratory, as part of efforts to modernize its exploration sector and attract investors.

Industry and Construction Vice Minister Iran Sharkhan said that the project will be built on the grounds of the national geological service and is being developed in line with the president's instructions, The Caspian Post reports via Kazakh media.

The cluster will go beyond a laboratory, incorporating a thermal storage facility, a museum, and training classrooms aimed at improving professional skills and supporting innovation in the industry.

Officials say rising investor interest in geological exploration has sharply increased demand for advanced laboratory research, prompting the government to accelerate infrastructure development. Design work and land allocation for the project are expected to begin this year.

Some elements of the infrastructure are already in place. A modern laboratory complex in Ulytau Region, built by Kazakhmys, is currently operational, while a thermal storage facility is also operating in the country.