SHAKHMARDAN ESENOV
(05.08.1927 – 28.09.1994)
Shakhmardan Yesenov was a geologist, Doctor of Geological and Mineralogical Sciences (1970), Professor (1970), and Academician of the Academy of Sciences of the Kazakh SSR (1967). He was born in the village of Tartogay, Shieli District, Kyzylorda Region.
In 1944, he graduated from the Kyzylorda Pedagogical College. In 1949, he graduated from the Kazakh Mining and Metallurgical Institute.
From his student years, Sh. Yesenov stood out for his sociability and active participation in citywide student scientific conferences, as well as in research projects of the geological student club. Later, he became the head of this club.
His active student involvement and organizational talent were noticed by Kanysh I. Satbayev, Chairman of the State Examination Commission of the Faculty of Geological Exploration. Satbayev later supervised his scientific research and, after graduation, directed the young mining engineer-geologist to work in the Zhezkazgan geological exploration expedition.
Early Career and Professional Growth. From the very beginning of his professional career, Shakhmardan Yesenov demonstrated exceptional activity, initiative, and versatility. He steadily advanced through key positions, working as a field geologist, party geologist, and senior expedition geologist, eventually being appointed Chief Geologist.
Leadership in Geological Exploration. In 1957, he was appointed Chief Geologist and Chief Engineer of the Zhezkazgan комплекс geological exploration expedition—at that time one of the largest and most integrated geological structures in Kazakhstan and the Soviet Union. His leadership played a crucial role in strengthening the country’s geological exploration capacity.
Government Service and Ministerial Leadership. In 1960, at the age of 33, Yesenov was appointed Deputy Minister, and in 1961 became Minister of Geology and Subsoil Protection of the Kazakh SSR (1961–1965). He demonstrated outstanding organizational skills and professional expertise, effectively addressing major geological challenges and contributing to the discovery of numerous mineral deposits.
Strategic Governance and Scientific Contribution. In 1965, he was appointed Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Kazakh SSR, overseeing the development of the mineral resource base and key sectors of heavy industry. In 1966, he completed his monograph “Tectonics and Oil and Gas Potential of Mangyshlak.”
Academic Leadership. In February 1967, Yesenov was elected Academician and President of the Academy of Sciences of the Kazakh SSR and was simultaneously appointed Director of the Institute of Geological Sciences named after Kanysh Satbayev.
Since 1978, Shakhmardan Yesenov served as the Head of the Department of “Methods of Prospecting and Exploration of Mineral Deposits” at the V.I. Lenin Kazakh Polytechnic Institute. In this role, he made a significant contribution to improving both the educational process and the material and technical base of the department.
At his initiative, the department was equipped with electronic computing machines, computers, and modern teaching tools. To ensure high-quality theoretical training and the development of practical skills for geologists, a branch of the department was established within a geological prospecting and surveying expedition, following his proposal.
Under his leadership, more than 800 young specialists were trained, many of whom have gone on to work successfully in geological exploration services across the Republic of Kazakhstan and other CIS countries.
Shakhmardan Yesenov was the author of 11 monographs and over 150 scientific publications. He was awarded the Lenin Prize (1966), the State Prize of the Kazakh SSR (1972), and the Chokan Valikhanov Prize (1971), and was decorated with numerous orders and medals.
To perpetuate the name of the distinguished geologist and pioneer in the discovery of oil and gas fields in Mangystau and Western Kazakhstan, the Aktau State University was named after Academician Shakhmardan Yesenov by the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Kazakhstan No. 767, dated July 1, 1995, upon the proposal of the Mangystau regional administration.
