Minerals, rocks, gemstones, and
paleontological finds - about 2,300 unique and rare exhibits are displayed at
the Mineralogical Museum in Astana. They have been
collected not only from Kazakhstan and neighboring countries but also brought
from other continents, including Australia, North and South America, Europe,
and Africa. The museum still retains its status as the best in Central Asia in
terms of mineral diversity. Its collection is constantly updated and enriched
with new specimens. What makes the collection unique is that everything is
presented in its original form. For example, this pyrite was discovered in
Kazakhstan about 120 years ago, and it has remained unaltered.
«It’s a real museum
piece. I’ve been to many museums, American and European, but
no one has a specimen like this. The capital must have its own museum of this
kind as we are a resource-rich country, and it’s important to understand that.
To sell raw materials and attract investors, we need to showcase what we have.
That is one of the museum’s purposes, while the other, a more profound one, is
educational,» said Honored Geologist of Kazakhstan and the Mineralogical Museum
founder Olzhabay Ismailov.
The museum’s main
objective is to showcase Kazakhstan’s underground riches to tourists, foreign
visitors, and the country’s population. Schoolchildren,
the museum’s primary guests, come here to examine and even touch the exhibits.
«Geology is not just a
profession; it is a fusion of science and art, a field imbued with romance.
Here, you can witness all the beauty and wonders of the Earth’s depths. Any child
who visits this museum, sees it, and whose eyes light up will simply want to
become a geologist. When it comes to career guidance, this museum is the best
thing one could imagine,» shared Honored Geologist of Kazakhstan Murat
Saiduakassov.
The museum’s founder,
Olzhabay Ismailov, dreams of making rare minerals known worldwide. He receives
proposals, including from European countries, to organize traveling
exhibitions.
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