Kaz Minerals Aktogay sulphide plant declared commercial.

Kaz Minerals said on Monday that following continued commissioning progress, the Aktogay sulphide plant has been declared commercial.

Revenues, operating costs and interest expenses associated with the plant will be recorded in the group's income statement from October 2017.

Kaz said higher-than-expected copper grades at the top of the ore body and the successful ramp-up of the sulphide concentrator are expected to result in Aktogay meeting or exceeding the upper end of its 2017 copper production guidance range of 70-85 kt.

Chief executive Oleg Novachuk said: "I am pleased to announce that we have achieved commercial production at the Aktogay sulphide plant, the second of our two major growth projects. During the construction and ramp up of the projects we have consistently delivered against our operational and financial targets and we now look forward to reaching design capacity at Bozshakol this year and Aktogay in 2018."