Kanat Sharlapayev, Minister of Industry and Construction of the Republic of Kazakhstan, met with Seokjoon Lee, President of the Korean Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM), and Paik Hanson, Vice President of SK Ecoplant. The Chairman of the Board of Tau-Ken Samruk JSC, Bakyt Chirchikbayev, and Acting General Director of Kazgeology JSC, Dauren Abuov, also participated.
The meeting, held online, marked another step toward establishing cooperation between Kazakhstan and South Korea in the development of the mining and processing industry. Minister Sharlapayev familiarized himself with the activities of both organizations and listened to their proposals for potential collaboration. Representatives from KIGAM and SK Ecoplant expressed interest in joint geological exploration and lithium mining. KIGAM also showed interest in constructing a plant for the production of lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide in Kazakhstan. Lithium is a strategically important resource used in the production of batteries for electric vehicles, portable devices, and other technologies.
The construction of such enterprises in Kazakhstan would not only foster the development of the domestic industry but also provide the country with access to modern lithium processing technologies. This, in turn, could attract investments and create new jobs.
Kanat Sharlapayev emphasized Kazakhstan’s readiness to support the initiatives of KIGAM and SK Ecoplant, offering necessary state support for the project’s implementation. Both parties agreed to hold an extended meeting in Astana. The proposed construction of the enrichment plant and the production facility for lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide will be a significant contribution to the economic development of both countries.
It is worth noting that KIGAM has already been cooperating with Kazakhstan for a year. In collaboration with Kazgeology JSC, Korean institute representatives have conducted geological and geophysical surveys at the Bakennoe deposit. Currently, the issue of granting KIGAM a license for exploration and further mining at the Bakennoe deposit is under consideration.
