The Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation emerged as a dominant entity in the global mining sector after the collapse of the Soviet Union, driven by the strategic acquisitions of Alexander Mashkevitch and his partners. Through his role in these privatized operations, he built a massive portfolio spanning Kazakhstan, Africa, and Eastern Europe, eventually securing a position among the world's prominent billionaires.
Early Career and Education
Born in 1954 in Frunze, Kyrgyz SSR, Mashkevitch held a Candidate of Sciences degree in Pedagogy. After studying philology at Kyrgyz State University, he initially pursued a career in academia. His transition to private enterprise occurred during the Soviet era period known as perestroika, a time that allowed him to pivot from his scholarly background toward large-scale business operations.
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Take the IQ test →The Trio and Eurasian Natural Resources
Mashkevitch, alongside associates Patokh Chodiev and Alijan Ibragimov, became known as 'the Trio.' Together, they acquired control over massive, newly privatized mineral and gas operations in Kazakhstan, specifically focusing on alumina and chromium. These assets formed the foundation of the Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation (ENRC). The company, based in London, was floated on the London Stock Exchange in December 2007 with an initial market capitalization of approximately £6.8 billion. By 2009, ENRC reported a profit of $1.464 billion from $3.8 billion in sales, before eventually being privatized to form the Eurasian Resources Group in 2013.
International Investment Portfolio
Beyond his Kazakh interests, Mashkevitch served as an owner of the London-based firm Alferon Management. Through this entity, he expanded his holdings into a diverse international footprint, acquiring mining operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Indonesia, Kosovo, and Russia. By 2019, his personal wealth was estimated at $2.4 billion by Forbes. His lifestyle included the ownership of the luxury yacht Lady Lara.
Diplomatic and Community Engagement
Mashkevitch maintained active roles in various international organizations and political spheres. He served as president of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress until 2011 and acted as a founding patron for the Alliance of Rabbis in Islamic States. In 2002, he leveraged his personal friendship with Kazakhstan's President Nursultan Nazarbayev to facilitate discussions regarding the release of Israeli soldiers captured by Hezbollah, allegedly in consultation with Israeli Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer. He also announced plans in 2011 to establish a Jewish-focused television network modeled after Al-Jazeera.
Fast facts
- Born: 23 February 1954, Bishkek
- Died: 22 March 2025
- Citizenship: Canada, Kazakhstan, Israel
- Education: Candidate of Sciences in Pedagogy
- Key Business Asset: Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation
- Awards: Order of Honor, Order of the Leopard, Order of St. Sergius of Radonezh
Questions readers ask
What was the role of 'the Trio'?
The Trio consisted of Mashkevitch, Patokh Chodiev, and Alijan Ibragimov, who collaborated to acquire privatized chromium, alumina, and gas operations in Kazakhstan.
What was the significance of ENRC's 2007 listing?
ENRC was floated on the London Stock Exchange with an initial market capitalization of approximately £6.8 billion, marking its transition into a major publicly traded natural resources group.
Achievements
- Order of Honor
- Order of St. Sergius of Radonezh 2nd class
- Order of the Leopard
- Order of St. Sergius of Radonezh
