In Balkhash, the Kazakhmys Progress enterprise produced ST-1 technical selenium. The first batch - 100 tons of products - was shipped. This was reported by the press service of the Kazakhmys company.
For the first time in Kazakhstan, a unique method of vacuum distillation was used for industrial purposes. The technology was developed by scientists from the Institute of Metallurgy and Enrichment of the Kazakh National Technical Research University named after K. Satpayev. The unique installation allows producing products that meet the requirements of the world non-ferrous metals market. The method provides a high degree of selenium purification without the use of reagents, which makes the process environmentally safe.
"Today, selenium is used in the production of solar cells, photocopiers, glass, ceramics, as well as in the medical and chemical industries. The launch of a new production facility in Balkhash opens up new horizons for strengthening the economic positions of Kazakhstan and Kazakhmys in the global non-ferrous metals market," the statement said.
In 2020, the Balkhash industrial site began implementing a project to purify black selenium, which is produced as a by-product during the production of precious metals. In 2022, a new production site was launched, and in 2023 it began to be used industrially.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/karaganda/press/news/details/928680