Golder Associates, the global consulting, design and construction services company, has announced the formation of a new operation in Kazakhstan, to advance its strategic business priorities in the oil and gas and mining markets in the region. The new operating company, Golder Associates Kazakhstan LLP (GAK), has an office in Atyrau on the Caspian Sea.

The day-to-day operations and business development activities are being managed by Artur Iralin, who is joining Golder from his most recent position as a business development director for a joint venture between a brownfield engineering group and an EPC contractor in Kazakhstan. Iralin also has served as a Canadian trade commissioner in Kazakhstan. Golder’s Kazakhstan leadership team includes Sergio Campi, who is Country Manager and Executive Director for Kazakhstan, and Chris Swindells, General Director for Kazakhstan and Regional President of Golder’s Asian operations.

Campi, a Principal of Golder who is based in the Turin, Italy office, has served as champion of Golder’s Kazakhstan initiative. He continues to play a major role in business development activities for Golder’s oil and gas sector and has worked with many of the key clients of Golder who operate in Kazakhstan. The company stated: “Our Kazakhstan operation will position Golder to significantly contribute to the growth of the oil and gas and mining sectors in this region and help our clients with many of the significant and long-term investments they have planned.” Kazakhstan has considerable mineral wealth in copper, lead, zinc, chromium, manganese, iron, gold and silver. It also ranks second in world reserves of uranium and is among the top 10 coal-rich countries.