city, south-central Kazakhstan, on the slopes of the Qarataū Range. Formed in 1955 from several settlements, Kentau (Kazak: “Ore Mountains”) is a rapidly growing mining city with a plant for enriching polymetallic ores and reinforced concrete (ferroconcrete), transformer, and excavator works. The city is linked by road to the Turkestan railway station on the Tashkent–Orenburg railway. Pop. (1991 est.) 65,100.